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THE EFFECT OF a growing number of seals on the west coast of Ireland on the fishing industry has reached the stage where a cull is needed, a TD has said.
However, animal welfare and fishing in industry representatives say such a move would be ‘premature’, and authorities should await the analysis of a reports into the animals presence in Irish coastal waters.
The ISPCA says there is “no evidence” to suggest that seals are having an effect.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae made the call earlier this month to the Minister Jimmy Denihan, who has responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Kerry South TD stressed that there would be “no joy” in such a move.
Livelihoods
“I would be all for the protection of wildlife, such as seals,” he told TheJournal.ie, ” but this is affecting fishermens’ livelihoods.”
“Management of seal populations will also require careful consideration of recently published studies from Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute concerning seal depradation (fish eaten by seals during fisheries operations) and bycatch of seals in set nets,” Minister Denihan said.
I understand further work is underway to enhance our understanding of this complex area.
He added that a license to hunt seal can be sought where damage is being caused.
“This redress is available to individual fishermen to control damage to fisheries by seals at particular locations,” the Minister noted.
The Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation echoed Healy-Rae’s concerns for fishermen, but instead recommended that some form of “management measures” need to put in place to protect the fishing industry.
CEO Eibhlin O’Sullivan said that options including putting measures which either physically block the seals from some areas, or alter their behaviour.
“Complex issue”
She noted that many fishermen have experienced problems related to seals, either through damage to nets and other equipment, and called it a “serious and complex issue”.
Some fisherman have faced entire catches being rendered useless by seals.
While seals have been to blame for many of these incidents, the ISPCA believes the animal is being “scapegoat-ed”.
“No evidence”
The animal welfare charity’s CEO Dr Andrew Kelly said there is “no evidence” that seals are affecting the fishing industry.
“Until that study has been done,” he said, “there’s little point for calling for a cull.”
In mid-2012, two seal heads were found at the gates of the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary, with “RIP CULL” and “RIP I AM HUNGRY” written beneath.
A number of other seals were found shot dead on the west coast in 2012, months after Deputy Healy-Rae warned Minister for the Environment that a cull was needed.
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I’d say most of them would fail to pick it out on a map
Are you joking – they don’t give a fup about NI
There are 60 million people living in mainland Britain. Why would the north with 1.5 million be front and centre or anywhere near the top of their priorities?
@John Mulligan: why should SF change for DUPs benefit? DUP backed a hard BREXIT in the hope of breaking the close link with the Republic from the GFA. If anybody has to change its the DUP to reflect the changing political climate in the North
To most people in Britain, Northern Ireland is just a giant pain in the butt. A running sore that needs cortorising and gone from their life’s ASAP.
The Tories don’t give a flying feck about NI.
Funniest thing I’ve read all week. NI isn’t even in the back of the mind of those that are looking to become ty next Tori leader. When will those in NI realise they are a thorn in the side of the mainland.
@Jason Walsh: Mainland? What about the aisle of Wight?
@John Mulligan: Dear John, that comes across as a very entrenched and one sided view. When Michelle O’Neill laid a wreath at the war memorial in Belfast last week to honour the Unionist war dead, she was really poking them in the eye, you say.
and yesterday when she attending a Muslim festival in Belfast and spoke about celebrating all the rainbow colours that make up society in the north as that society is no longer one of Orange and Green, she was really poking unionists in the eye you say?
Wise up there John before you are left behind with the DUP!
@John Mulligan: you’re spot on, with the two established parties of conflict as the main parties, it is harder than ever to agree on thinks. People voted for change for voting for the Aliance party. People are sick of green v orange
have your say