Vol. 352 No. 5
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry whether the report on seals on islands off our coasts has now been completed; the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report; if he will indicate whether he is now willing to consider designating Iniskea island and other islands used for breeding by the seal population as nature reserves within the context of the Wildlife Act, 1976.
37.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will confirm that no seal cull will be authorised by his Department next autumn; and if he will ensure that necessary protection will be provided to ensure no illegal culling will take place.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
The survey of grey seals undertaken by my Department in 1983 covered the coastline from Slyne Head to Lambay Island and included the Iniskea Islands. The findings indicate that the total population of grey seals around our coastline numbers between 2,000 and 2,500. As the status of the species is not threatened, either nationally or internationally, there would be no ecological justification for creating a single species reserve or refuge on the Iniskea or any other islands.
The survey report also suggests that culling of the breeding population is not an effective way of preventing damage to salmon catches and that the measures most likely to afford protection to catches would be those aimed specifically at seals at the nets. I am keeping the whole situation under review with due regard to both conservation and fishery interests. Any illegal actions in regard to seals will, of course, be dealt with in accordance with the law.
