New approach 'to managing seal-fishery interactions' being examined by government

There are no plans by the government to undertake a general cull of seals, Minister Darragh O'Brien has stated.

He said the latest population estimates available indicate that there are approximately 8,000-10,000 grey seals and about 5,000 harbour seals in Ireland. 

These animals are spread around the Irish coast with the largest populations occurring along the west coast from the Blaskets in Co. Kerry to north Mayo and Donegal. 

The Irish animals are known to move between Scotland and north-west France. In turn, animals from the large seals populations in Scotland migrate into Irish waters to feed.

There are over 100,000 grey seals in Scotland.

Minister O'Brien explained: "While seals are a protected species, the Department of Local Government may issue licenses to cull individual problem seals and affected persons can apply for such licenses. My department has no plans to undertake a general cull of seals.

"My department has been in contact in the last year with fisherman interests from the south-west, including Dingle, on the question of seals. 

"Five Section 42 license applications have been received to date this year. One of these - relating to an estuary in Sligo – was approved. 

"One was refused as it related to the shooting of seals on the Blasket Islands, a Special Area of Conservation for seals. 

"The remaining three applications were also from the South West – two in Kerry and one in Cork and involved shooting seals including from boats. 

"There are concerns about this approach to seal management, given the potential safety concerns arising from using high-powered rifles on moving platforms.

"Nonetheless, my department is examining the potential for a pilot scheme which would test this approach and determine its efficacy in protecting fishermen’s catches. 

"A decision on the remaining licences has been delayed until this pilot scheme can be advanced. Plans to initiate this scheme earlier in the year had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

"My department is also in discussion with the Marine Institute on approaches to managing seal-fishery interactions, including current inshore fishing practices and trends, seal predation on fish, seal behaviour and numbers, as well as the by-catch of seals in fishing gear and will continue to investigate these issues and potential solutions in partnership with the fishing industry."