SEALING IN NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 6

SEALING IN NEW ZEALAND

FOUR MONTHS’ SEASON OPENS LIMITED AREAS IN SOUTH ISLAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 6. After a lapse of 22 years, seals, the fur from which once was Important in New Zealand's export trade, tnay be ■taken legally during the next four months. . The taking of seals in New Zealand waten has been on a restricted scale during the last half-century. Seals were placed on the protected, list in 1894, No sealing was then allowed Until 1913, when an open season was observed for three years, but with certain restrictions. From 1916 a close season was observed until 1922. when the taking of seals was again allowed, but only until 1924, since when a close season has been observed until the present time. By the Seal Fisheries Regulations published in to-night’s Gazette, the taking of seals in a limited area, and under licence, ia permitted during June, July, August, and September. A customs export prohibition order, also pubUsHed to-night, prohibits the exSort of sealskins except under licence M ‘nister of Customs. Sealers will be required to secure a licence from the licensing authority, Mr W. C Smith, who was appointed last year. After they have taken their catches they are required to deposit them with the collectors at Invercargill, Dunedin orWestport, for stamping. „ T?® area opened for sealing is from Nugget Point in the north, southwards to Long Point on the south-east coast S , outh a » d from Windsor ( . n *?T Preservation Inlet) to of th ® sounds ?r •■on the West Coast), and also on that portion ofrfhe coast of Stewart cffiSl? ?°. t f s cing the “‘inland of the south Island and on certain of the adjacent islands including The Traps, the mainland between Long Point to Windsor Point, and the coast of Stewart Island facing Foveaux Strait remain closed to sealers.