The increasing population of once endangered fur seals is, according to John Arnould from Macquarie University, starting to be a real problem.


Arnould, a marine mammal specialist, explained that the seals are becoming a nuisance with regards to disease transfer, attacks on humans and their effect on the fisheries industry. The Seafood Industry Victoria supported his comments.


The population is currently thought to be at nearly 58,000, doubling 1986 estimates., and Arnould believes that solid management practises have to be implemented in order to control the seals while still recognising that they are fully protected animals.