Seals need protection at beach says group

Seals need protection at beach says group

15 June 2016

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have called on the local council to provide better protection for the seal colony at Minerstown Beach.

Members of Lecale Conservation have also urged members of the public to stay away from the beach’s rocky areas as the pupping season begins.

They have warned that traffic on the beach and general disruption to mother and baby seals shortly after birth could lead to pups being hurt or abandoned.

Chris Murphy, of Lecale Conservation, claimed the responsibility for watching out for the seals and looking after the local beach was being left to local people, rather than being dealt with by adequately equipped council staff.

Despite the introduction of by-laws in 2014 forbidding cars from driving onto the beach, he said permanent signs had not yet been erected.

“How else can people be expected to respect laws about which they know nothing? This is the responsibility of council and it has been negligent in the execution of its public duty,” he said.

“Our message to council is please get a move on. 

“In the meantime, to avoid any risk of disturbing the seals, and breaking the law, our message to anyone using the beach is simple: please keep away from the rocks, the sandy beach is a much safer place to play. 

“From now until the end of July approximately 16 pups will be born on Minerstown’s rocky promontory, Ringboy Point. 

“The first few hours after birth are critical to allow the mother to bond with her baby. It is essential that they are not disturbed during this vital period, otherwise the mother will simply abandon her baby; every summer orphaned bay seals have to rescued and taken into care.

“If the council is serious about valuing our district’s biodiversity, landscapes and environment – if for no other reason than jobs in tourism – then it must seriously step up its act. It must start playing the lead role in restoring pride in our towns and countryside and ensure no one is left in doubt that we all have a part to play.”

A spokesman for Newry Mourne and Down Council said vehicles accessing Minerstown Beach were doing so from privately owned land.

“The council has been working with landowners and residents to find a solution to stop cars accessing the beach from this point and with their permission the council put up by-law signs on Thursday, June 2, to inform visitors that motor vehicles are not permitted on the beach.

“Since then, council staff have been monitoring the situation and on a number of occasions have had to ask drivers to remove their cars. On these instances everyone has co-operated.”