Seal Surge Devastates Coorong Fishers

0:00Commercial fishers in the core-wrong region of South Australia are battling a surge in long nose-first seals that are tearing massive holes in their nets to snack fish like mullet, bream, and mull away. These protected seals have forced folks like Tracy and Glen Hill of core-wrong wild seafood to switch to what they call ninja fishing-dropping nets super. Quick, grabbing the catch and bolting before the seals show up. Seal numbers are climbing, averaging 90 in 2024 and 108 in 2025 with peaks in winter. This year's been extra rough after a six-month algal bloom chased away fish runs, leaving fishers babysitting gear that gets wrecked anyway, even if they're right they're watching. The hill couple and others are straight up frustrated, counting big losses on damaged tackle while seal-scarers, those noisy flash devices are proving. Useless since the seals now trailboat lights at night. It's hitting their wallets hard and in enclosed lagoon they like into the oceans McDonald's, drawing predators easy.

1:02Government departments are teaming up with fishers on long-term fixes including a key research project from Sardye on the seals economic and ecological toll in the lakes in core-wrong area. That studies wrapping up review now with industry input to shave next steps. Fishers hold out hope for Mullis schools returning soon after recent sightings, but with seals here to stay and the fishery dating back to the 1830s veterans worry the next generation might not have a shot at keeping this tradition alive. From your city, powered by AI, this is Sydney News Today. I'm Cory with the story.