SEALS STILL ABUNDANT IN FOVEAUX STRAIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 6

SEALS STILL ABUNDANT IN FOVEAUX STRAIT

(P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 22. “One of -the richest areas in the world.for the study of various forms of marine life’’, is how Dr. R. A. Falla, director of the' Dominion Museum,’ today J described the Foveaux Strait region after a three week’s visit. ’. “Although 'sperm whales that once fnade the strait famous- are not much in evidence, fur seals are showing satisfactory powers of, survival in spite of the history of destructive sealing.” he said. “Oceanic birds of many kinds are abundant and also fish life.” Dr. Falla added that both the commercial and other species would repay a systematic study. His visit to Stewart Island, Solanders and outlying islets was specifically to investigate fur seal population, the size of which had caused some concern after the hasty and ill-planned season-of 1946. This visit, he explained, was a sequel to the survey undertaken last summer when he visited rookeries during the breeding season. A general picture of the breeding stock had been obtained then, but no overall survey could be made because of the absence of young, non-breeding animajs and it was impossible to estimate the probable rate of survival ot young seals. Because the survey was made on behalf of the Marine Department Dr. Falla said he preferred not to speak at present of his conclusion on the changing site of the fur seal population or the prospects of the fur sealing industry and the resumption of open seasons.