Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if research has been undertaken on the number of seals off the Irish coast; if there are circumstances whereby seals can be culled in a controlled and caring manner having regard to the scientific research available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29836/04]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There are two species of seals in Irish waters, the harbour or common seal and the more numerous grey seal. In August 2003, a national census of harbour seals was carried out by the national parks and wildlife service, NPWS, of my Department and the coastal and marine resource centre of University College Cork. This indicated a minimum population of some 3,000 harbour seals around the country's coast. This report is available on the NPWS website at http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/IrishWildlifeManuals/. A further report is available at the same NPWS website entitled, Summary of NPWS Surveys for Common, Harbour, Seals and Grey Seals, 1978 to 2003. While there have been a number of studies of grey seal populations at certain breeding sites, including a report commissioned by the Marine Institute in 2000 on grey seals status and monitoring in the Irish and Celtic Seas, there has not been a recent comprehensive national survey. However, in line with a recommendation of the Marine Institute report and as part of its programme of monitoring habitats and species protected under the EU habitats directive, the NPWS is planning a national grey seal survey in 2005.

The inter-relationship between seals and fisheries is complex. It should be noted that in most cases seals are feeding on different resources to those sought by fishermen. There is nonetheless a perception that seals, particularly grey seals, can threaten fishing and acquacultural operations. Scaring and killing of seals may be permitted by licence under the Wildlife Acts on the grounds of interference with fishing or acquaculture. The number of such licences issued has been low, and on the basis of present surveys and assessments, extensive culling of the Irish seal population is not envisaged.