Vol. 530 No. 2
36 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the estimated number of seals along the coast; if he regards the numbers as being a serious threat to stocks of inshore fish, such as salmon and sea trout; and if there are plans to have seal culls carried out to limit the damage that they are causing to fish stocks. [1901/01]
I would be concerned at any excessive losses incurred in Irish fisheries due to predation by seals. In this regard, an EU-funded project to study the diet of seals undertaken by UCD is nearing completion. This study will provide greater information on seal diet, migration patterns and impacts on fish stocks. The International Council for Exploration of the Sea, ICES, is also establishing a working group on marine mammal population dynamics and habitats which will begin a wide-ranging evaluation later this year.
I have no direct function in the management of seals which are a protected species under the terms of the Wildlife Acts administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. These Acts provide for measures for the management of the seal population and consideration of any such measures is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. I will arrange for the findings of the UCD report, when available, to be submitted to the Minister and forwarded to the Deputy.
