January 4, 1999
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

NOTE TO EDITORS:

John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will hold a news conference at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 5, to release the results of an independent study which looks at the response of the Northwest Atlantic harp seal population to alternative harvesting strategies. At the news conference with Mr. Efford will be George Winters, senior fisheries consultant with Focus Technologies Incorporated of St. John's and former Department of Fisheries and Oceans research scientist.

The study findings are particularly significant for what they reveal about the much-disputed, federally set harp seal Total Allowable Catch and the long-term sustainability of the current seal herd.

Location: Signal/Garrison Rooms
Hotel Newfoundland
Time/Date: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 5

Media contact:

Mary MacNab, Sealing Industry Promotions Officer
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Telephone: (709) 729-3745
Cell:                 (709) 682-8270
Fax:                 (709) 729-0360
email:        mmacnab@mail.gov.nf.ca

1999 01 04                               11:10 a.m.