Seals are not threatening commercial fishing stocks in Irish waters, with the possible exception of wild Atlantic salmon, according to new research led by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).
The findings show seals are having no significant impact on populations of the most popular species of fish caught for commercial purposes along the south and west coasts of Ireland.
The research was led by QUB in collaboration with University College Cork and the Marine Institute in Co Galway. Its conclusions suggest seals do not compete with fishermen over the stocks. The issue of seals in Irish waters has been controversial in recent years and there have been calls for culls….
Irish Times 28/12/2015 Read the article ‘Seals no threat to fishing stocks in Irish waters, researchers find’
