13 June 2005 Media Statement

Chris Carter comments on seal shooting in Otago

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today he was shocked to hear six men had been caught shooting at seals off the Otago coast.

"Seals are a protected species and deserve respect," Mr Carter said.

"The area off the Otago Peninsula where these men were shooting is not only home to fur seals but is the only mainland breeding area for the NZ Sea Lion, the rarest sea lion in the world. We can only hope that no sea lions were killed in this incident.

"Seals and sea lions were practically wiped out in the 19th Century by sealers. Since then they have been gradually recovering, and the fur seal population off of the Otago Peninsula has just begun to stabilise," Mr Carter said.

"A lot of people in Otago are very fond of the marine mammals around their coast, and I am sure they will be appalled by this incident."

ENDS

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