Vol. 424 No. 10
66 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the massive damage being caused to fish stocks by seals; and the reason an organised culling operation has not been carried out by the wildlife service.
Seals are protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976, and it is an offence to hunt or kill them, save under licence or permission under the Act. The best scientific advice available indicates that culling is not an effective method of preventing seal predation of fishery catches. Accordingly, I am not prepared to issue a licence for such a course of action.
There is, however, a remedy available to fishermen in that they may apply for permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Act, to kill seals which are causing actual damage to their nets. Any such application will receive proper attention.
