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OTTAWA -- The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of
Fisheries and Oceans, announced today the 2003-2005 Atlantic Seal
Hunt Management Plan.
"I am pleased to introduce a new, multi-year management
approach to the Atlantic Seal Hunt," said Minister Thibault. "This
plan presents sealers with greater certainty in planning their
activities and provides greater flexibility for both the
department and industry to adapt to variable environmental and
market conditions over a three-year period."
The harp seal Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is set at 975,000
over three years with an annual TAC of up to 350,000 in any two
years. For example, sealers could take 350,000 seals in two of the
three years, but would only be allowed to take 275,000 in the
other year. Harp seals are the most populous of the seal species
on the Atlantic coast and are the major species hunted for
commercial purposes. The North Atlantic harp seal population is
healthy and abundant – 5.2 million based on the latest
peer-reviewed survey. By comparison, it was 1.8 million in 1970.
"Seal management is founded on sound conservation principles to
ensure harvest opportunities now and in the future," said Minister
Thibault. "Seals are a valuable natural resource that, when
harvested sustainably, provide valuable income to about 12,000
Canadian sealers and their families."
The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, applauded the new approach of a
multi-year management plan. "Sealing provides important economic
benefits to Atlantic Canada and the inherent flexibility in the
plan enables sealers to maximize their profits over a three-year
period."
The department is adopting an Objective-Based Fisheries
Management (OBFM) approach that will provide a clearer basis for
managing the harp seal hunt. OBFM uses reference points and
control rules to establish management measures for a fishery.
Where there is an abundant resource, OBFM will facilitate a
market-driven harvest that will enable sealers to maximize their
benefits without compromising conservation. Reference points are
set at 70%, 50% and 30%, based on the maximum observed size of the
herd at 5.5 million. The department will ensure conservation by
maintaining the population at a level above the 70% reference
point, or 3.85 million. Under the OBFM model, if the full TAC is
taken over the three-year plan, it is estimated the population in
2006 will be about 4.7 million harp seals – well above the 70%
threshold.
The department will continue to emphasize at-sea surveillance
and conduct dock-side checks; monitor quotas; check sealers for
proper licence and observation permits; as well as ensure humane
hunting practices, compliance with Marine Mammal Regulations and
the proper use of hunting instruments. As always, the department
promotes the fullest possible use of each animal harvested.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2003-2005 MANAGEMENT PLAN
Total Allowable Catch
Harp Seals – 975,000 over three years with an annual TAC up
to 350,000 in any two years. Hooded Seals – The TAC will remain at 10,000 per year. As in
previous years, there will be no hunt of hooded seals in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. Grey Seals – A small harvest of grey seals will be allowed
in areas other than Sable Island. Ringed, Harbour and Bearded Seals – There are no TACs or
allocations set on these species. Licenses and permits will be
used to control any commercial harvest for these species.
Conservation
The department will evaluate the feasibility and value of
establishing seal exclusion zones to protect aggregations of
spawning cod stocks. The department will continue to enforce a prohibition on the
harvest of whitecoat and blueback seals.
In 2000, the Eminent Panel on Seal Management was established
to provide advice on a new long-term strategy for the management
of seal populations in Atlantic Canada. The Panel submitted its
report to the department in December 2001. The Panel’s report,
along with consultations with more than 100 stakeholders last
November at the 2002 Seal Forum in St. John’s, greatly assisted in
the development of this plan.
Backgrounders:
Speaking notes for the Honourable Robert. G. Thibault - 2003-2005 Seal
Management Plan
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
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Steve Outhouse
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537 |
Caroline Quinn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, (613) 992-3474 |
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NR-HQ-03-01E |
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