BUSINESS owners say they would back fines to stop people from feeding the scavenging seagulls causing havoc on the waterfront.
The birds have been swooping down on unsuspecting citizens eating food in the open air, leaving people in a flap.
Amid fears that the situation is getting out of hand, calls have now been made for fixed penalties to be handed out to any individuals caught feeding the birds.
Claudio Nardini, co-owner of Nardini at the Moorings said: "Certainly people have got to stop feeding them. 
"We always tell customers not to.
"The seagulls are clued up - they saw one of our menus lying on one of the outdoor tables with pictures of a sundae and ice creams on the front of it, and began pecking at it! One of my menus had to get chucked away as it is full of holes.
"That's how desperate they are - they are unbelievable. 
"It is a sad state of affairs when they begin to attack inanimate objects.
"They are aggressive and something has got to be done.
"In terms of introducing fines, you have to make people aware before fining people. 
"A range of measures have to be looked into, even encouraging shopkeepers warning their customers as well about the danger of feeding the gulls.
"And if that doesn't work, perhaps look at a stronger approach and bringing in fines.
"It happens a lot less in terms of people feeding the gulls but it still happens.
"The gulls are becoming a lot more aggressive but they work in packs. 
"It used to be individual seagulls but now they work in big groups with two or three of more. 
"They are a clever group of animals, and you just need to watch how they attack the bins in the evening to see how they work in teams."