# Seal Cull

All time

State issues licences to salmon farms to cull protected seals, documents reveal

A report by

Niall Sargent

Noteworthy investigation shows that at least two grey seals and three common seals were killed after licences were issued.

Since 2015, the NPWS granted 11 licences to farms to shoot small numbers of the protected species, reports Niall Sargent in the first part of Noteworthy's investigation into the salmon industry

Conservation groups have expressed shock at the decision and a lack of scientific evidence behind culling

The NPWS does not generally carry out site visits to monitor cull events due to 'resourcing issues'

44.0k

Jun 25th 2021, 12:05 AM

# state papers 1988

'It would be disastrous': People wrote to government in 1988 over concerns of a seal cull in Co Mayo

The government had ordered a seal census on the west coast to determine whether a cull was necessary.

10.1k

Dec 30th 2018, 5:30 PM

# Overpopulation

Healy-Rae: Seal cull ‘badly needed’ to protect west coast fishing industry

However, industry and animal welfare organisations recommend awaiting analysis of government reports into the animal’s population.

8.9k

Feb 24th 2014, 8:00 AM

# Dead Seals

Why are seals being killed? Sanctuary notes 'swing in activity'

In the past 10 days, the heads of two seals were nailed to sanctuary gates in Kerry, there were reports of shootings in Cork and a decapitated seal was found at Galway. TheJournal.ie investigates.

6.2k

Jun 16th 2012, 2:00 PM