Fishermen suspects in seal slaughter

A SMALL number of angry fishermen are under suspicion for the unlawful killing of around 45 grey seals — a protected species under the 1976 Wildlife Act — in west Kerry.

The slaughter was widely condemned yesterday and an investigation involving gardaí, Duchas and conservation officers got under way, following the discovery of the carcasses.

Fishermen have, for several years, been calling for a cull of the seal population, claiming seals interfere with their nets and consume large amounts of dwindling salmon stocks.