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New England : gray seal resurgence stirs call for hunt
New England : gray seal resurgence stirs call for hunt

New England : gray seal resurgence stirs call for hunt

A few short decades ago, the gray seals were almost completely wiped out of New England waters. But over the years, their population has grown immensely, so much so that people in the area are calling for controlled hunts.

The once-thriving New England gray seal population was almost obliterated in the 1950s and 1960s due to over-zealous hunters. Since then, conservation groups have come together to revive the seal population, and the waters are once again teeming with the cute animals.

While logic would dictate that this is a win for conservation enthusiasts, the development has actually angered a number of New England residents. Fishermen in the area have stated that the gray seals are interfering with both fishing charters and that they steal catch, which limits the amount of money that the fishermen earn.

The fishermen may be against the rising gray seal populations, but Brian Sharp, manager of the marine mammal rescue for the Cape Cod-based International Fund for Animal Welfare, claims the seals are not actually causing as much of an impact on the commercial fishing business as the fishermen say.

“Culls of gray seals have not been shown to increase fish populations. It’s not that simple,” Sharp said. “What we’re seeing is a normal growth curve of seals repopulating an area.”

Beachgoers have complained about the seals as well. They apparently take up too much of the shore sunbathing and attract sharks, Phys.org reported.

The complaints come with calls for controlled hunts of the gray seals. While New England states have not authorized any action yet, animal rights activists would likely oppose gray seal hunts.

Agencies/Canadajournal




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