Funding Provided to Support the Canadian Sealers Association

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $28,250 in funding today for the Canadian Sealers Association. The funding represents the final installment of a two-year commitment to the association, valued at $76,250.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports the annual seal harvest,” said Minister Dalley. “The Canadian Sealers Association plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of this important industry to sealers and rural communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The overall objective of the funding announced today is to continue supporting the reorganization of the association and move its five-year business plan forward.”

The Canadian Sealers Association was formed in 1981 in response to negative publicity about the sealing industry by some animal rights groups. The association represents the interests of more than 11,000 licensed sealers in the province and works with federal and provincial governments to jointly promote the sealing industry. Its work is primarily dedicated to promoting best practices, sustainable and humane harvesting methods, and full utilization of the harvested resource.

“The Canadian Sealers Association is pleased to receive the final installment of funding from the Provincial Government to support its activities,” said Eldred Woodford, President of the Canadian Sealers Association. “Our organization plays an integral role in ensuring this industry’s survival. We will continue to work with our partners to keep sealing issues at the forefront and to ensure accurate information is being portrayed about this safe, humane and sustainable annual harvest. The funding announced today, in addition to the many other investments being made by the Provincial Government toward the sealing industry, is a positive step and is indicative of its commitment to the people who depend on the seal harvest for a portion of their annual income.”

The impact of the growing seal population in the recovery and sustainability of fish stocks continues to be the greatest concern for the Provincial Government. With over eight million seals now inhabiting the marine environment around Newfoundland and Labrador, in addition to those in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, the annual seal harvest is essential to environmental stability and the health of fish stocks for the future. Seals eat in excess of 10 million tonnes of fish annually. This level of consumption, if left unmanaged, will have detrimental, irreversible effects on the seafood industry.

“If left unmanaged, the seal population will decimate fish stocks adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Dalley. “Our government will continue to work with industry, the Federal Government, and all stakeholders, to advance the issues surrounding market access for seal products and to foster growth for the future.”

Earlier this year, the Provincial Government provided a loan to Carino Processing Limited in South Dildo, to a maximum of $3.6 million. The loan was provided to kick-start the annual seal harvest, and to support sealing industry participants in the effective management of the seal population for ecosystem balance. Approximately $2 million of the loan has been utilized.

In addition, the Provincial Government has provided $500,000 in support to the Home from the Sea campaign, which commemorates the 1914 sealing disasters of the SS Newfoundland and the SS Southern Cross. This funding will support the construction of a memorial statue, educational interpretation centre and walking path in Elliston, Newfoundland.

More information on the Canadian Sealers Association can be found at www.sealharvest.ca .

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2012 12 13             11:10 a.m.