Seal cull study opposed

A conservation lobby group is opposed to any research involving the possible culling of fur seals on the Mutton Bird Islands, but is pledging to help those affected by the problem.

Forest and Bird marine conservation advocate Kristie Knowles said despite concerns by southern Maori groups over the increasing number of fur seals damaging the burrows of muttonbirds (titi), the organisation was opposed to a cull.

"We know [mutton birds] are a species of interest for tangata whenua, but if this was a commercial fishery we were talking about, than people would be up in arms."

Mutton-birders told the Otago Daily Times they hoped to source funding so research could be carried out on the fur seal population on the 36 Mutton Bird Islands before any approach to the Department of Conservation was made about a cull.

Mutton birds are an important source of food and income for some southern Maori, who have exclusive rights to harvest the birds.

In recent years, an increasing number of fur seals have moved from the beach into the bush, destroying the vegetation and the birds' nesting burrows.

Ms Knowles said her reaction to any talk of culling the protected mammals was that it "was pretty pathetic".

To prevent any cull taking place, Forest and Bird planned to talk to local iwi and Doc about possible solutions to the problem, she said.

"It is a problem that has been identified. We can look at various management options, but culling is not one we would support."

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz