The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was quite pleased with the outcome of this year�s meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) in relation to the Canadian seal harvest. All provinces and territories, along with the Federal Government, agreed on the importance of getting the message out on the Canadian sealing harvest. This occurred during the annual meeting of ministers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on November 2. The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, was in attendance on behalf of the Provincial Government.

"I cannot tell you how pleased I was to hear the strong endorsement of all provinces and territories in support of getting the correct message out to the world on the Canadian sealing industry," said Minister Rideout. "Our province�s objective of gaining support for the need to communicate the facts to the world on this issue was supported. I was very pleased that the ministers agreed to acknowledge this in the joint CCFAM news release. The plan now is to build on the partnership that is already in place between our province, the Federal Government and Nunavut."

The sealing industry is environmentally-sustainable, humane and well-managed. Since 1970, the harp seal population has tripled and currently stands at 5.4 million animals. Harvesting whitecoats and bluebacks is illegal and has been for more than 20 years. Research on the modern sealing industry by veterinary experts has concluded that seals are harvested in a humane manner.

"I have attended many meetings of fisheries and aquaculture ministers," said Minister Rideout. "However, this is the first time I saw such a high level of agreement on the need to inform the world of the sustainability and humaneness of Canada�s sealing harvest. The level of support for our province�s position was unprecedented."

There was also strong support among the federal, provincial and territorial governments, for Canada to take strong and decisive action through the World Trade Organization against European Union seal product bans.

"I told my colleagues that previously the major target for anti-sealing activists has been the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador," said the minister. "This is no longer the case as anti-sealing activists now seem to be directing their efforts at the entire Canadian seal harvest. I told them we have a responsibility to address this by getting the facts out to the world about the harvest. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador looks forward to working in partnership with our colleagues across the country to convey accurate information on the seal harvest to the world."

The Canadian seal harvest is an important source of income for thousands of families in remote coastal communities in Canada, at a time of year when employment opportunities are extremely limited. It is also an important source of income in many northern and Aboriginal communities. Sealers have stated that their income from sealing can represent from 25-35 per cent of their total income. Including spinoff benefits, the sealing industry is worth over $55 million to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador alone.

"We have turned a corner on the slanderous, malicious and inaccurate portrayal of the Canadian seal harvest. Working with all Canadian provinces and territories, along with the Federal Government, we will ensure that the truth will prevail," said Minister Rideout.

The Provincial Government has allocated a total of $200,000 over the last two years for sealing industry communications. As part of this strategy, the province has been actively addressing sealing issues with the European Union, European journalists, the Federal Government and anti-sealing activists. To date the Provincial Government has developed an information package on the province�s sealing industry as well as a Web page that can be viewed around the world. More information on the province�s sealing harvest can be found at: //www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/sealfactsheet/

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca

2007 11 05                                                 1:00 p.m.