Written answers

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Wildlife Conservation

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered concerns expressed by fishermen regarding the seal population; his views on whether this is a problem and, if so, the action he will take to resolve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15675/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of fishermen's concerns regarding the seal populations in and around our coasts. With regard to the interaction between seal populations and the conservation of fish stocks, seals eat a wide array of fish and invertebrates. I am informed that their diet appears to vary considerably depending on location, time of year and the abundance of available prey. Seals are a protected species under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 1976-2005. Insofar as management of the national seal population is concerned, this is a matter for the Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Wildlife Acts, which are administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

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