The Angling Trust has confirmed that it intends to continue seeking a humane relocation of ‘Keith’ – the seal stuck in the River Severn freshwater system for nearly two years.
The Angling Trust successfully applied for a licence from Natural England to rescue the seal during the close season (1 September – 31 December 2013) but this was prevented by extensive flooding. That protective period, however, has now ended. No further licence is required for the control or capture of grey seals until 1 September 2014.
Whilst the Angling Trust has no control over others, it remains entirely committed to working with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) animal rescue charity to safely rescue and remove the mammal from the Severn – both to ensure that the seal comes to no harm and protect vulnerable and fragile freshwater fish stocks. These species include the endangered shad and eel, and threatened Atlantic salmon. Moreover, this female seal will not find a mate unless returned to the ocean.
Last year’s agreement between the Angling Trust and BDMLR has the backing of the Environment Agency – which fully supported the Trust’s original licence application to prevent further damage to local fish stocks.
Dafydd Evans, Area Manager for the Environment Agency commented: “We recognise the concern by anglers of the impact on specimen fish and that fishery owners can take action to protect their fishery. We will work closely with the angling community to investigate practical solutions to deter predation by seals.”
Alan Knight OBE, Chairman of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said: “The Angling Trust and local angling clubs have been committed from the start to finding a solution which avoided any harm coming to the seal but minimised damage to fish and birdlife. Although in an ideal world we would like to leave Keith where she is we do have serious concerns for the seal’s safety. We therefore remain committed to working with the Angling Trust to gently and safely remove Keith from harm’s way and return her to the sea.”
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “Local anglers remain rightly concerned about the impact of the seal on vulnerable fish stocks. The situation has not been helped by members of the public feeding the seal as if it was a pet rather than a wild mammal with a natural fear of humans. We are particularly concerned that the seal has been seen predating on highly protected fish species in the River Teme – a Site of Special Scientific Interest noted for its eel, salmon, shad, lamprey and barbel populations. These fish have specific protection under the law for very good reason. The right thing to do, therefore, for the river, the fish and the seal is for all lovers of wildlife to work together and ensure this animal is safely rescued – not harmed – relocated to its natural habitat and the fragile Severn freshwater system preserved for future generations.”
