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OTTAWA – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today announced the 2006-2010 Atlantic Seal Management Plan.
"We feel we have struck the appropriate balance between conservation and economic concerns," said Minister Hearn.
"The seal hunt is humane and sustainable and it is an important economic activity for sealers and communities in Atlantic Canada and Quebec."
The harp seal population increased steadily from the 1970’s through to the mid 1990’s. The population has remained relatively stable since then.
"The harp seal herd is abundant and healthy. It stands at approximately 5.8 million animals; nearly triple the size of the herd in the 1970’s," said Minister Hearn. "This is a conservation success story."
While the management plan spans five years, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for harp seals will be set on an annual basis. The TAC for 2006 is 325,000. This TAC level is consistent with levels set in recent years. Setting an annual TAC provides flexibility to allow for adjustments to changing environmental conditions. Other factors, such as ice conditions, natural mortality, and incidental harvest or by-catch will be taken into consideration when setting future annual TAC levels.
An additional 10,000 harp seal allowance has been set aside for new Aboriginal initiatives, personal use and Arctic hunts. This one-year allowance will provide opportunities for Aboriginal communities to access the resource and benefit from this growing market.
New management measures being introduced in 2006 include a one-year sharing arrangement for the Gulf of St. Lawrence portion of the quota. It is hoped that a more permanent solution can be developed with industry in the future. The goal is to provide stability in access and reduce the competitive nature of the seal hunt.
DFO will continue to emphasize at-sea surveillance and conduct dockside checks, monitor quotas, and ensure humane hunting practices and the proper use of hunting instruments.
The department is also looking at long-term changes in order to further improve on humane hunting practices and overall management of the hunt.
The opening date for the 2006 harp seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence will be determined over the next week in consultation with industry. The opening date for the seal hunt on the Front, off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador will be announced in a few weeks. The Front hunt does not typically open before April.
For additional information on the new multi-year management plan please see the attached backgrounder.
Backgrounder
2006-2010 Atlantic Seal
Management Plan Highlights
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(613) 993-5413
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Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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NR-HQ-06-05E |
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