FRESH calls have been made to remove a seal from the river Severn amid fears it is affecting fish stocks.

Several fisherman have contacted the Angling Trust worried about the impact the seal, known as Keith, is having on fish stocks in the Severn and Teme rivers.

A statement from the group said anglers had spotted the female seal eating salmon, spawning barbel and chub, in a number of different locations and had even been aggressive towards one angler.

The statement read: “Several anglers have contacted the Angling Trust with their concerns about the presence of this marine mammal in these rivers and its potential impact on fish stocks if it is allowed to remain in the river system for an extended period of time.

“Anglers are particularly concerned that the Teme is a site of special scientific interest and the seal could do long-term damage to the balance of nature in an area acknowledged by Natural England to ‘support plants and animals that find it more difficult to survive in the wider countryside’.”

British Divers Marine Life Rescue has been contacted but both organisations recognise that locating the seal for capture may prove difficult and a dedicated e-mail address has been set up by the trust for people to report sightings.

Sightings of Keith began back in November last year but it was thought she had returned to sea in January after no sightings before she reappeared again at the start of June. During her first appearance, there was a huge backlash against The Angling Trust which said it would apply for a licence to shoot the seal if it could not be relocated.

Urgent meetings are currently being organised with the Environment Agency and Natural England to discuss the immediate situation as well investigate long-term solutions. One possibility would be for acoustic deterrents known as seal scrammers to be deployed further downstream once the seal is removed with the trust saying it would fund-raise to pay for the device and its maintenance.

Relocating the seal has divided opinion among anglers and animal lovers alike with some arguing that she should be left alone. Lisa Ventura, who helps to run the Save Keith the Seal Facebook page, said she failed to see how one seal in the Severn could be such a threat to fish stocks.

“Keith has brought delight to many who have seen her and I feel she should be left alone to enjoy herself. She obviously feels at home and is quite a legend.”