NR-HQ-99-65E

DHALIWAL ANNOUNCES 2000 ATLANTIC SEAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES

December 21, 1999

OTTAWA -- Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for harp seals for the year 2000 will be frozen at the 1999 level of 275,000.

In making the announcement, the Minister noted that Fisheries and Oceans Canada has several significant initiatives underway which will build on existing information and clarify some issues related to seals. For example, in 1999, the department conducted an extensive harp seal population survey. The results of this survey are currently being tabulated, with final results expected in the Spring of 2000.

"Based on the best departmental science available at this time, there is no information that would justify a change in the TAC," the Minister said.

The Minister noted that on November 5, 1999, the department responded to the 13^th Report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans -- the Seal Report. In that response, the Minister concurred with a major recommendation of the committee and agreed to the appointment of a panel of eminent persons to provide advice on a new long-term strategy for the management of seal populations.

"Given the strong views regarding seals, I believe there is true value in asking a panel to take a fresh and independent look at the issues being debated and I look forward to the appointment of the panel in the New Year," Mr. Dhaliwal said.

The Minister also indicated that other departmental initiatives would be continued in the year 2000 in order to add to the base of knowledge relating to seals. These include:

• studies designed to estimate the amount of seals struck but not recovered;

• studies related to the abundance, distribution and potential impact of seals on fish stocks;

• a review of the Marine Mammal Regulations to update and to adapt them to the current conditions of the hunt (to date this has involved consulting more than 80 groups, including Aboriginal people, representatives of the commercial sealing industry and conservation and animal rights groups).

The Minister also announced that the hooded seal TAC will remain at the 1999 level of 10,000 animals. As well, the harvest of a few hundred grey seals will be allowed in areas other than Sable Island.