Sir, - Other factors related to the need for a seal cull could be added to those mentioned by Mr Helmore (August 15th). While seals need to consume a large quantity of fish to survive in their element, the number of fish they destroy but do not eat has to be taken into account. Salmon netsmen very frequently pull in fish with bites that make the fish unsuitable for sale, while whitefish gill netters even find seals waiting at harbour mouths to follow the boats to where the nets are set.
It is also known that seals spread worms to fish, particularly cod, through their faeces.
An Irish cull would not be effective without a similar one in Scotland, as the mammals swim over in droves to our north and west coasts, putting many smallboat fishermen out of business. With fish prices good for fishermen - even pollock can fetch £1 per pound these days for the catcher - the amount of fish eaten or destroyed in a year would support a fisherman and his family. Indeed, seals have caused many an Irish fisherman to emigrate due to the severe depredations. - Yours, etc.,
Arthur Reynolds, Seapoint Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.