Seals labelled ?pests'

Although Seals have been a popular tourist attraction, their growing population has caused concerns amongst fishermen who blame the animals for poor catches.

It was common for fishermen to cull seals in the late seventies and early eighties to protect their fishing livelihood, but as regulations were tightened, this pracise died out. It is now thought that seals are making a major comeback. It was first noticed by locals taking boat trips out to the Western and Norrad rocks but in more recent years the seals have started to migrate to previously unchartered territory around the inhabited Islands.

Seals find it easier to steal fish out of nets rather than catch it themselves. Atlantic Grey seals have been a popular subject for wildlife lovers for some time now and most boat services take visitors on trips to see them.