Fishermen in West Kerry are calling for an immediate seal cull, claiming that the seal population off the Blasket Islands is now out of control.

The most recent population estimate for the Blasket Islands grey seal colony refers to the years between 2009-2012, where it pointed to a population of up to 1,400 seals. But fishermen claim the population is a lot more, according to them it is at least treble that figure.

Dingle fishermen say any fish they now catch are eaten and destroyed by seals, while their nets are also sometimes destroyed. They say if there isn't a seal cull then their job will become impossible.

Hundreds of fish eaten by seals that Dingle fishermen caught this week

But a cull is unlikely to happen anytime soon because in a statement the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht said there are no plans for one.

Our reporter Barry Whyte has been to Dingle to speak to the fishermen...