Trevor Sargent
Question:246 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to authorise a seal cull along any of our coastal waters within the next 12 months. [11038/96]
Written Answers. - Seal Cull.
Trevor Sargent
Question:247 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine his views on whether calls for a seal cull in the absence of reliable and adequate data are both premature and highly unethical. [11039/96]
Trevor Sargent
Question:248 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the valuable but largely unrecognised work carried out by the Irish Seal Sanctuary; if he will consider providing matching funding for the Irish Seal Sanctuary to carry out independent research on the current seal situation in Ireland; and if he will consider establishing an independent task force which would examine the current crisis in Irish coastal fishing communities and develop a long-term plan for the rejuvenation of those same coastal communities. [11040/96]
Trevor Sargent
Question:250 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if he will release all up-to-date data available in his Department in respect of the seal population around Irish shores. [11043/96]
Seals are a protected species under the Wildlife Act and culls may only be undertaken on the basis of statutory permits by the Wildlife Service which has primary responsibility in this area.
A three-year (1995-98) scientific study on the comparative distribution and migration patterns of grey and common seals in Irish waters is currently under way.
The project, which is jointly funded by the Department, BIM and the Wildlife Service, will provide key data on seal population levels and migratory patterns. The results will enable us to quantify and assess more accurately possible impacts of seal populations on fish stocks around the Irish Coast and will inform any future decisions on seal population management. I am not aware of any proposals to commission any additional studies from the Irish Seal Sanctuary or other organisations at this stage.
Under the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99 a significant level of support for investment in the catching aquaculture and processing sectors of the fishing industry is being made available to underpin jobs and economic activity in coastal communities. In addition, funding under the EU PESCA Initiative is supporting local enterprise and diversification within fishing communities around our coasts.