The Angling Trust has confirmed that it intends to continue seeking a humane relocation of ‘Keith’ – the seal (who is actually a female) 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 […]
