As the opening of the 2008 seal fishery nears, the Provincial Government will join with sealing industry representatives and supporters to celebrate the history, culture and traditions associated with the seal harvest in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On March 15, the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will participate in an event in St. John�s organized by the Fur Institute of Canada to recognize the benefits of the seal fishery and to promote the truths of the harvest. March 15 is the annual anti-sealing global day of protest.

"Prior to the opening of the annual seal fishery in Atlantic Canada, anti-sealing protesters throughout the world execute a collaborative approach to spreading fallacies and misinformation regarding the harvest," said Minister Rideout. "Our government continues to be proactive in support of the seal fishery, and we are pleased to participate in this event to celebrate this tremendous industry and to ensure that the truths of the industry continue to be delivered and heard."

The event, referred to as Swiler�s Ball, follows the Up the Anti event which took place last year in Ottawa. In addition to the event in St. John�s, similar celebrations will take place simultaneously in Vancouver, Ottawa, Iqaluit, Paris and London. More than 150 sealing industry supporters and stakeholders participated in last year�s event.

The Provincial Government is supporting Swiler�s Ball through a $10,000 contribution. The event is cost-shared with industry.

"The seal fishery has been a vital contributor to Newfoundland and Labrador for over 500 years," said Minister Rideout. "This type of tradition is worth celebrating, and it is certainly worth defending. Our seal harvest is humane, sustainable and economically viable. Our government has been very proactive in our defense of this fishery, and our efforts will certainly continue."

The seal fishery provides direct annual employment for over 6,000 people per year in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2007, the production value reached $30 million.

In the past two budgets, the Provincial Government allocated $100,000 for sealing industry communications. These funds have assisted with the promotion of the industry, in terms of the value of the resource, its economic viability and humane principles and practices.