§ Major OWENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the presence in Nevin Bay, Carnarvonshire, of large numbers of grey seals which are destroying herring, damaging nets, and causing considerable loss to fishermen; and what steps he pro- 44W poses to take to protect the fishing interests of that area?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have seen a Press report but no complaints of damage done to fisheries or nets by grey seals in Nevin Bay have recently been received by the Ministry. As regards the last part of the question, it would be an offence under the Grey Seals Protection Act, 1932, for any person knowingly to kill, wound, or take a grey seal at the present time, since the period from 1st September to 31st December is a close season for grey seals.