Concern as number of dead seals washing ashore doubles
DEMAND FOR SERVICES HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER WHILE FUTURE OF SEAL RESCUE CENTRE IN COURTOWN IS UNCERTAIN
OVER the winter months, Seal Rescue Ireland volunteers have been inundated with reports of dead seals washing up on beaches, particularly in Counties Wexford, Waterford and Cork.
From November 1, 2020, to February 19, Seal Rescue Ireland have received reports of 40 dead seals in Co Wexford alone.
Melanie Croce from the group said that the cause of death for these seals has yet to be determined, but it is a certainly cause for concern.
‘We have been keeping a dead seal database for the last five years, and 2020 saw the highest number of reports, double the year before, said Ms Croce. ‘It could be that we’re getting more reports because there are more people out on the beaches but those reports will probably slow down with the storms, with people taking a break from walking on the beach.
‘I fully expect an onslaught of reports once the weather clears in a few days as we’re constantly getting new reports and we need to rule out duplication.
‘As of last week, a total of 61 dead seals had been reported so far this year, compared to just 36 last year. There’s a huge concentration in the south east, but it does tend to coincide with fishing activities.
‘We can’t say for definite what’s causing these deaths as the full investigation hasn’t been done and we need more information. There was speculation that seals were being shot, but I think people may have been jumping to conclusions. Some of the bodies discovered were very highly decomposed and marks or holes that were on them were more likely to be due to scavengers like crabs or birds who would be pecking at the seals after they’ve died. We highly doubt that the deaths are to do with the virus, but we can’t rule that out for definite.
‘What is more likely is that there are more natural threats. The storms have gotten worse and they’re washing the seal bodies in, while others are drowning in fishing nets. These threats happen offshore and are unmonitored, but with the storms washing up the seals, we’re getting more accurate numbers than before. The threats really are those that we always speak about such as climate change pollution, by-catch (when seals get caught in nets), as well as unsustainable fishing which is ever-present. It’s hard to say whether it’s an increase in reporting, or actually more dead seals’.
There is hope that more funding and resources will be put towards the issue of identifying the root of the problem and Ms Croce said that the demand for Seal Rescue Ireland’s services have never been greater.
‘The demand for our services has risen drastically as we had a record -breaking year last year, rescuing 170 seals compared to 117 in 2019. Our work has continued throughout this Covid time period but having the centre closed to visitors, not being able to go to any events and not being able to have public releases, it has definitely impacted our ability to fundraise.
‘Trying to keep the doors open has been really hard and Covid has definitely given us a lot of challenges. But we have diversified and are providing ,virtual opens such as tours, fundraisers as well as education but the lockdown is lasting longer and longer and we need to future-proof our activities moving forward since we don’t know how long this is going to last.
‘Our work is going to continue into the future but, at the moment, we are starting to look at other options as we have outgrown this space in Courtown. Right now we are treading water in the sense that we’re still in the midst of our rehab season and we have about 30 seals that we haven’t been able to release even though they’re ready to go.
‘We have built such a strong network here and we’ve got an amazing, devoted team, but we are looking forward to things slowing down so we can focus our energy to developing a long term plan. With the future of the Leisure Centre up in the air, we’re operating behind locked gates and the future is uncertain’.
Ms Croce asked that if members of the public see a dead seal, they should remain 100 metres away and keep dogs on a lead, then call Seal Rescue Ireland’s 24/7 rescue hotline 087 1955393 or email admin@sealrescueireland.org.
On the website, www.sealrescueireland.org, families can find free educational resources, including eight mini-episodes with a downloadable workbook suitable for two different age groups that is designed for home learning.
AS OF LAST WEEK, A TOTAL OF 61 DEAD SEALS HAD BEEN REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO JUST 36 LAST YEAR