Alarming pictures showing a drone being used close to a seal on the Skelmorlie rocks surfaced on Facebook during the good weather at the weekend.
A cameraman who was taking pictures of the seal took to social media to complain about the situation after the seal scuttled away from the hovering drone and noise.
Rikki Duncan, who took these photos, said: "A couple of seals were posing for me off of Skelmorlie this afternoon, then a guy came along with a drone and scared them."
It was pointed out by some web users that wildlife tv documentary makers use drones all the time to shoot wildlife footage, but the matter is an ongoing concern to marine groups who are set to discuss the matter and look at possible new measures to avoid the hazard. The seals are regularly spotted on the shore between Largs and Skelmorlie and regularly photographed, although this is believed to be the first instance of a drone being used.
Fairlie marine mammal expert David Nairn told the 'News' that it’s an offence under Marine Scotland Act to harass seals although the Skelmorlie area is not a designated site.
He said that drone users should be dissuaded from doing this, and added: "It should be reported to police as wildlife crime. The wildlife watching code is being amended to address drone nuisance to wildlife as part of wider strategy. It’s one if the issues that will be addressing at mobile species conference next week."
Looking at the photos, Mr Nairn who helps run the Clyde Mammal marine research project said: "It looks far too close although that may be the perspective. A safe distance is going to be in excess of 100-200m at least, or just avoid this kind of thing.
"Harbour seals are popping up soon and are vulnerable to disturbance like this which can cause stress."
The photos, which appeared on Our View of the River Clyde facebook page, sparked an angry reaction from wildlife lovers.
One said: "Poor seals! What a shock for them!" and another said: " No thought for wildlife at all - that is so selfish."
Pics: Rikki Duncan.