Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 25, 2012

House of Assembly Passes Motion Regarding Sealing Industry
 

A resolution regarding the sealing industry presented today in the House of Assembly once again highlighted the importance placed on this sustainable, humane, economically important and well-managed harvest to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The sealing industry has provided significant benefit to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for hundreds of years,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “The annual seal hunt contributes to stability for rural and coastal communities and contributes to ecological balance in our marine ecosystem. Through our support today for this resolution, our government acknowledges the importance of the hunt. In particular, its economic value and its importance in supporting the recovery of fish stocks around the province. The Newfoundland and Labrador seal hunt is among the world’s most highly regulated and humane animal harvests.”

The Provincial Government invested in the hunt recently through initiatives such as marketing campaigns and the provision of a $3.6 million loan to Carino Processing Limited for the purchase of raw material. This will ensure seal products are available as market demands grow, while at the same time enabling hundreds of harvesters to secure an income. Through Budget 2012, the Provincial Government has also allocated $100,000 for seal advocacy, marketing and support for ongoing trade challenges in relation to the sale of seal products internationally.

“As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we are proud of our rich fishing and sealing heritage,” said Minister King. “The seal hunt has been a staple of our history for as long as the codfish. These industries are the cornerstones of our predominant maritime economy. Our government firmly believes that with our support, markets for seal pelts and other seal products will expand in the future.”

Minister King also noted the strong message sent to those who oppose the annual seal hunt by the unanimous vote in favour of the resolution in the provincial legislature.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER
Private Member’s Resolution on the Sealing Industry

WHEREAS Newfoundland and Labrador’s sealing industry is ecologically sustainable, economically valuable and among the world’s most highly regulated and well managed humane animal harvests;

AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government is investing in a sustainable sealing industry in this province through initiatives such as communications and advocacy campaigns and the provision of a $3.6 million loan to Carino Processing Limited for the purchase of raw material, which will ensure products are available as the market grows while at the same time enabling hundreds of harvesters and plant workers to secure an income;

AND WHEREAS the Federal Government – in agreement with our government’s request – is challenging the discriminatory trade practices of other countries;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House supports the actions and investments of the Provincial Government to advance the growth of a sustainable and professional sealing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this House encourages the federal government to continue its efforts to support the Canadian sealing industry and to challenge the discriminatory actions of countries that violate trade laws.

2012 04 25                              5:05 p.m.