THE growing population of long-nosed fur seals in the Coorong and Murray Mouth has led to fishermen urging a cull of the marine mammals, which are decimating fish stocks and eating wildlife.
Local MP for Hammond Adrian Pederick is calling on the state government to hurry up and develop a management plan for the species.
The population of long-nosed fur seals, formerly known as the New Zealand fur seal, is estimated at 100,000 in SA and growing by 5.5 per cent each year.
Mr Pederick started a petition calling on the government to implement a management plan, which includes a "sustainable harvest" of the fur seal.
He said he had received more than 400 signatures in support, with petition copies still circulating.
"(The seals) need to be managed, because if something doesn't happen fisheries are certainly at risk," he said.
"People are having trouble paying their licence fees.
"The government is doing absolutely nothing."
Mr Pederick said the seals were leaving fish chewed in half and nets wrecked and were also attacking pelicans.
Mr Pederick said he had put a similar motion to parliament three years ago, without reference to a seal harvest.
"And still nothing has been done," he said.
"It is a sensitive issue but it's a hard task that needs to be taken."
Presiding chairman of the Southern Fishermans' Association, a group that represents the Lakes and Coorong commercial fishers, Garry Hera-Singh agrees there needs to be a plan, but is not sure a cull is the right answer unless there was a way to stop other seals replacing the removed animals.
He said fishery representatives had spoken to the Department of Environment, Water & Natural Resources and PIRSA to look at options to find a solution.
Mr Hera-Singh said fishery stakeholders came up with about eight or nine ideas to "provide some flexibility to fishers" at a meeting last week.
One was the use of pyrotechnics, or waterproof crackers, which can be used to scare the seals away from boats and nets.
Mr Hera-Singh said these were currently classed as a firearm, so would not be allowed in waterways, unless given governmental approval.
Another option is some flexibility in the use of fishing gear allowed, currently restricted under the Fisheries Act.
"We're looking to the reinstatement of some of the gear entitlements taken away in the 1980s, which are now proven not to have the impact on the environment that was originally thought," he said.
The fishery is also looking to apply to the government for a license fee subsidy while it continues to explore solutions.
Many of the license fees are in excess of $20,000 annually.
He said these were "one percenter" ideas.
"Not one is going to fix the problem but collectively they'll buy us some time," Mr Hera-Singh said.
A state government spokesperson said the government was considering all options other than culling.
"DEWNR and PIRSA are working with the SFA to formulate a plan for managing seal-related issues in the Coorong," the spokesperson said.
DEWNR would continue to monitor multiple parameters of ecosystem health in the area.
A PIRSA spokesperson said the Fisheries Management Act 2007 did not provide any delegation to waive regulated license fees, however in exceptional circumstances an application for hardship could be made for fee relief.
Greens animal welfare spokesperson Tammy Franks described Mr Pederick's call for a cull as a knee jerk reaction but echoed his call for action.
Ms Franks is calling for a cross-party response to the challenge.
“Saying we should shoot the seals is a kneejerk reaction to a problem that the Government has so far failed to adequately manage,” Ms Franks said.
“The Greens share the concerns of the local fishing industry in the Coorong and lower lakes – and we are also very concerned about the environmental impacts posed by the population, including harm to birds and turtles.
“The reality is that when you mess with the system, you commit to managing it.
“The question now is what this management should look like. "Inaction isn’t the answer."
