NR-HQ-96-56E

DFO ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF ATLANTIC SEAL FISHERY

July 12, 1996

St. John's...The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) today released the harvest figures from the 1996 Atlantic seal fishery.

Dense concentrations of seals and ideal harvesting conditions resulted in the harvest of 242,000 of the 250,000 total allowable catch (TAC) for harp seals, a level well within the replacement yield of 287,000. In light of the harvesting rate, the department exercised prudence and closed the harp seal harvest on April 11, to allow landings to be assessed. It was reopened on April 17, when it was determined that 185,000 harp seals had been taken.

Market conditions for seal products have been favorable this year with prices for pelts and oil up from last year's levels. Prices for seal meat are down slightly given the abundance of supply.

This season's ideal harvesting conditions, along with a dense concentration of hooded seals resulted in a harvest of more than 25,000 hooded seals before the season was closed on March 28.

DFO undertook enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures during this year's harvest and several charges have already been laid. Other alleged instances of non-compliance are under investigation and more charges are expected to be laid within the next several weeks.

An early estimate of the processed value of this year's seal fishery is $13 to 15 million.