The association fears that too many seals can instead lead to mass death of seals when more individuals compete for food.
- We see that the fat layers become thinner and they are in poorer condition.
In the past, we have had experiences of epidemics.
On the west coast 8-10 years ago, the harbor seal got a puppy disease virus and then almost the entire population died out, says Daniel Ligné, national hunting care consultant.
One of the reasons for the hunting result may be the many seal protection areas along the coast, says Ligné.
- They were established in the 60s and 70s when things went very badly for the seals and they still exist today even though the seals are more than ever, he says.
Waiting for changes
In Sörmland, the county administrative board wants to see the consequences of the hunt before making any changes.
- As this is only the third year of licensed hunting of gray seals, we want to evaluate the shooting annually so that the decisions can be adapted in the best way.
Releasing the hunt in these areas is not something the county administrative board is working against in this situation, says game manager Markus Södling.
Want to sell sealskin
Daniel Ligné at the hunters' association also wants the ban on selling seal products to be lifted to increase the motivation to hunt.
Minister of the Environment Anna-Caren Sätherberg (S) has in response to a question in the Riksdag answered that the government is investigating what opportunities there are to raise the issue of lifting the EU ban.
At the same time, she assessed "the chances of succeeding in this at the moment as small."
In the video above, Daniel Ligné tells what he thinks it would mean for the hunters and what products the sealskin could be used for if the ban was lifted.