IFI recently published its report on a Pilot Study of the Impact of Seal Predation on the Slaney and Moy. It makes for interesting reading. Counts of grey seals hauled out in the Wexford harbour area ranged from in excess of 100 to a maximum of 780 individuals.
The report notes that specialist seals which concentrate on salmon fishing could have a material impact on rivers such as the Slaney where salmon populations are low. Further work needs to be done to identify whether specific individuals are specialising in feeding on salmon in areas such as Enniscorthy.
