Outrage on social media was sparked after seagulls were culled on Tuesday at Invermay with no community warning, but a government spokesperson says Tasmania Police and nearby businesses were notified.
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The cull is thought to have occurred near Riverbend Park and Bunnings Invermay from reports by the public, with about 20 gun shots heard.
Sea gulls, or silver gulls as they are known, are protected species in Tasmania and require a permit to be killed.
A Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment spokesperson confirmed a permit had been issued for a cull of silver gulls in Invermay and 18 birds were culled.
Reports of maimed birds was reported but the spokesperson confirmed investigations on Wednesday morning by DPIPWE staff found no maimed birds or carcasses.
"The permit was issued for 12 months with a total quota of 50 birds," they said.
"DPIPWE understands that action was taken late in the afternoon of Tuesday ... to disturb the roosting flock.
"Prior notification was given to neighbouring businesses that the action was being conducted. Tasmania Police was also notified."
DPIPWE did not confirm the exact location of the cull, the firearm used or who the permit was issued to.
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Questions were asked about the closeness of the cull to a park and houses. However, although by law a person must not discharge a firearm within 250 metres of a dwelling it is allowed if approved or if they are an animal welfare officer.
The DPIPWE spokesperson said silver gull roosting and breeding had been an issue in the Invermay and Launceston area for many years.
"Complaints over many years have been made to DPIPWE ... from a number of residents, business owners and the public about the birds, safety concerns and damage to infrastructure due to faeces, health and hygiene concern of food products, and economic impacts to business," they said.
The City of Launceston council's chief executive officer Michael Stretton said the council was not consulted prior to the culling but it did not necessarily expect to be.
"The council was not consulted in respect to a culling of seagulls in Invermay, nor would we necessarily expect to be, as DPIPWE is the responsible authority for wildlife management in Tasmania," he said.
"The City of Launceston is aware of concerns raised by some business owners and residents in Invermay about nuisances being caused by seagulls."
RSPCA Tasmania chief executive officer Jan Davis confirmed the organisation was contacted about the culling but as a permit was in place it was legal.
"In certain circumstances, it is necessary to manage populations of wild animals in order to reduce adverse impacts on human activities, health and well-being or the environment and also to protect the welfare of individual animals," she said.
"When undertaken, the RSPCA believes management activities must use methods that are humane, target-specific and effective."
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