Minister reminds sealers to conduct harvest in a professional manner

On the eve of the opening of the 2000 seal fishery, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture John Efford today reminded everyone involved in the industry to ensure that the seal harvest is conducted in a humane and professional manner.

"We have made considerable progress in rebuilding our seal fishery and it is imperative that we continue to move forward in revitalizing our sealing industry in a professional manner," said Mr. Efford. "I encourage every sealer to continue humane harvesting practices and maintain the professionalism that has been successfully demonstrated by sealers in the past in this important economic activity."

Mr. Efford said that despite the fact that our seal hunt is the most humane and regulated hunt than any other in the world, Newfoundland and Labrador sealers are still not being portrayed as professionals by animal rights groups. He added that this is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts about our professional sealing industry by the animal rights groups and a tactic used by these groups for the sole purpose of raising money.

"With our 2000 seal harvest upon us we must not give these groups any ammunition for their anti-sealing campaign and their desperate attempts to raise money. We must continue to display a professional conduct in our commercial seal fishery that provides much-needed economic activity for many coastal communities."

Mr. Efford pointed out that he has every confidence that sealers taking part in this year�s harvest will do so with professionalism and appropriate harvesting practices, but said the importance of professionalism must be repeated because as with any industry, there are always a "few bad apples" that can create a negative perception of everybody in the sealing industry. He said that there is zero tolerance for improper harvesting practices.

Meanwhile, Mr. Efford added that his department will continue to work towards expanding the industry through new market opportunities for our seal products.

Media contact: Sonia Glover-Sullivan, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

2000 03 29                                                             11:35 a.m.