Question NW1975 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) Whether, in view of the success of the seal rehabilitation programme in the Dassen area along the West Coast that has led to an increase in the seal population which appears to have impacted fish stocks in the area, while recent high numbers of deaths of seals in the area have been attributed to low fish stocks leaving fisherfolk worried that their livelihoods may be at risk, any recent studies have been carried out by her department on th growth in the seal population in this area and its potential impact on fish stocks; if not, why not; if so, what were the results; (2) what impact has she found does natural predation have on the seal population in the area; (3) what is the current estimated population of seals in the Dassen Island area?