Luanda — The National Institute of Fishing (INIP) will continue this year its research work and follow-up on seals in the Angolan coast to keep the balance in the ecosystem, according to the institution's director-general, Francisca Delgado.

Speaking to ANGOP, on Monday, Francisca Delgado informed that the research work will continue, so that the country can know the exact number of seal colonies in the national coast.

After stating that there may be some seals, but not a high number, the official revealed that last December an air-cruise was carried out, with the participation of scientists from Namibia, South Africa and Angola, aimed at finding out the exact number of seal colonies.

Francisca Delgado informed also that in 2005 was carried out a research air-cruise which found out the existence of seal colonies settled in the country, contrary to information that had been given by some scientists denying the existence of settled seal colonies in Angola.

It is based on this that it has been elaborated a proposal for the management of the existing seals, since according to the Angolan Law on Biological and Aquatic Resources, the government must adopt the necessary measures to preserve this species.

She also informed that satellite pictures taken by Namibian and South African scientists indicate a movement of seals from south to north (from South Africa and Namibia to Angola).

This movement, she explained, is probably due to the scarcity of food in the Namibian waters.

ANGOP has learnt that for seals to keep alive and in normal activity they need to eat at least four kilograms of fish daily.