§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent the disappearance of seal and dolphins from United Kingdom waters.
§ Mr. CurrySeals are given basic protection against indiscriminate killing by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. The Government have by order extended this safeguard in the wake of the recent viral epidemic which in particular has affected the common seal. The United Kingdom populations of seals number over 100,000.
Dolphins are protected against deliberate capture by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Whaling Industry (Regulation) Act 1934. A United Kingdom initiative led to the adoption by the North sea conference forum earlier this year of a plan concerned with conservation of all species of small cetacean.