Netting of seals

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 20

Netting of seals

Sir, —The Government’s response to the continuing slaughter of seals on the West Coast is to do nothing. So far this year at least 146 fur seals have died and it is estimated that 500 deaths will occur during the twomonth hoki fishing season. The major offenders are huge Soviet and Japanese trawlers — some of them the size of Cook Strait ferries. The Marine Mammal Protection Act provides the relevant legislation. What is the point of such protection if it is not enforced? It is a tragedy that these ocean-going bulldozers are tearing' into our natural resources, leaving a trail of death in their wake. Of particular conf cern is evidence strongly sug- ' gesting the hoki fishery will collapse unless the total catch is slashed to below 100,000 tonnes. When the seals are all dead and the fishery wiped out it is too late. Something must be done now. — Yours, etc., (Dr) KEITH MORFETT. August 17, 1989.

Sir, —The Government should take immediate action against foreign trawlers fishing for hoki off the West Coast The catch should be drastically cut to protect the resource from overfishing. Before 1986 the total catch was 60,000 tonnes; now it is 250,000 tonnes, and we should beware of depleting these valuable stocks, as we have with crayfish, orange roughy and snapper. Crews must change their fishing methods to prevent pollution of spawning grounds and the by-catch of fur seals — 146 have been caught and drowned in„ trawl nets this . K

season, doubtless attracted by fish offal discarded at sea. The Minister of Conservation has declfffed to take action until the hoki season finishes in four weeks — when hundreds more seals may have died. Fur seals are protected and, if all else fails, the Department of Conservation should use its powers under the Marine Mammals Protection Act.—Yours, etc., / M. A. MACBETH. August 20; 1989. .•

Sir, —It is an appalling situation when seals, which are fully protected, can be drowned by fishermen in pursuit of hoki off the West Coast. Sadly, the cartoon in “The Press” (August 16), may be prophetic, judging by the seeming indifference and inaction of Government officials responsible for the protection of sea mammals. — Yours, etc.,' G. J. PRINGLE. August 16, 1989.