Too Many Seals

[likwid]

Originally Posted by fishbones

So, the government can take action to try to fix problems of overfishing by humans. Unfortunatley, there is no regulation of the seals taking baitfish.

I'd put money on Omega Protein taking more menhaden than the entire MA seal population eats in a year.

[Rappin Mikey]

One last thing, 5%-6% of a 990lb animal is much closer to 50# then 18#.

[Slipknot]

http://www.greyseal.net/ABOUT/history.htm

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

http://www.greyseal.net/ABOUT/history.htm

Thats actually out of a fantastic book.

On the basis of data that are themselves suspect, the department asserts that horseheads consume 50,000 metric tonnes (1980 figures) of valuable fishes every year, or 10 per cent of the half-a-million tonnes taken by Canadian east-coast fisherman. Analysis of this charge demonstrates that less than 20,000 tonnes of the consumption attributed to horseheads (but by no means proven) is of species of even marginal commercial value. Furthermore, the presumed tonnage represents live weight-the weight of the whole fish-while the figure for the commercial catch is based on processed weight-only that portion of the fish that is packaged for sale. The live weight taken by Canadian commercial fisherman in 1980 was approximately 1.2 million tonnes. The percentage of commercially valuable fish eaton by the seals can therfore be no more than 1.6 per cent.

Originally Posted by fishbones

Maybe someone can start shooting them.

Someone push Greenpeace's buttons enough about them and they'll run over their nets and ram their ships.
See? Greenpeace CAN do fishermen good.

Originally Posted by Slipknot

count these in this picture and do the math

What time of year was that?
What did the other haulout locations look like?

Questions that need answers to make an educated guess on real numbers.

Anyone know if WHOI has done any counting?

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Well it finally happened to me... Fishing in a nice school of cookie cutters, blow ups every cast. Got a nice fish on, took a little drag; and its about 20yrds away in pretty tight to the shore. I see a giant black shape emerge behind my bass and up comes a huge grey seal. He chases my fish around for a second and pretty soon he's got it. Then my line starts peeling big time and soon enough he cuts through the line. Then the bastage comes up with my fish in its mouth, and my lefthook pilgrim, obviously taunting me.... Had a few calm choice words of course. I think it went something like:

"GO F YOURSELF YOU STUPID FING SEAL, I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON THAT DAMN PLUG!"

Luckily the fishing didnt totally shut off, just all the big fish left

[JLH]

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

Well it finally happened to me... Fishing in a nice school of cookie cutters, blow ups every cast. Got a nice fish on, took a little drag; and its about 20yrds away in pretty tight to the shore. I see a giant black shape emerge behind my bass and up comes a huge grey seal. He chases my fish around for a second and pretty soon he's got it. Then my line starts peeling big time and soon enough he cuts through the line. Then the bastage comes up with my fish in its mouth, and my lefthook pilgrim, obviously taunting me.... Had a few calm choice words of course. I think it went something like:

"GO F YOURSELF YOU STUPID FING SEAL, I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON THAT DAMN PLUG!"

Luckily the fishing didnt totally shut off, just all the big fish left

How did the seal fight? Strong steady pull that you had not chance in stopping?

I've had two fish grabbed by something in the last few weeks. It was at night so I never got a look at whatever it was. It was just swam off at a moderate pace with the fish and I had no chance of stopping it. Thinking seal but could be a shark I guess.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by JLH

How did the seal fight? Strong steady pull that you had not chance in stopping?

I've had two fish grabbed by something in the last few weeks. It was at night so I never got a look at whatever it was. It was just swam off at a moderate pace with the fish and I had no chance of stopping it. Thinking seal but could be a shark I guess.

yup exactly, but could be either one I suppose.

[fishpoopoo]

I gave up fishing the outer beaches of the cape a while ago. One spot I went to scout at daytime had 60+ seals, easily.

They are very intelligent. They see you with a fishing rod, they will follow you. Kinda like dogs.

Anyhoo, FWIW, the fishing is not bad on the Bay side. Not as many seals.

I haven't seen as many seals in RI as I have on the outer cape this summer.

[spinncognito]

Originally Posted by fishpoopoo

I gave up fishing the outer beaches of the cape a while ago. One spot I went to scout at daytime had 60+ seals, easily.

They are very intelligent. They see you with a fishing rod, they will follow you. Kinda like dogs.

Anyhoo, FWIW, the fishing is not bad on the Bay side. Not as many seals.

I haven't seen as many seals in RI as I have on the outer cape this summer.

I beg to differ! I had a seal pup grab my yellow pencil a few weeks ago. Not sure if it was playing or thought it was a fish. Landed the seal but did not get the plug back...

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by likwid

I'd put money on Omega Protein taking more menhaden than the entire MA seal population eats in a year.

Maybe someone can start shooting them.

[Slipknot]

no likwid, 6000 is probably not an accurate count I agree, I don't think 10000 is right either

count these in this picture and do the math

I bet there are more