Question NW22 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, following recent reported incidents of conflict between wild seals and humans at South African beaches, her department has identified any verifiable evidence, locally or internationally, linking high levels of domoic acid or any other toxins present in water along the South African coastline with unproved aggression in fur seals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what total number of unproved aggression from seals towards humans is her department aware of over the past 10 years; (3) whether there has been any identifiable increase in incidents of aggression from seals towards human in the past 10 years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether it is deemed necessary for her department to conduct any further assessment of seal behavior; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date(s) and (b) where will the assessment be conducted?