As Canadian Fisheries officials meet with European Union members on hunt, some sealers stay put.

[Annces]

April 16, 2009

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - As Newfoundland officials were meeting this week with foreign diplomats to press the province's case on the seal hunt, some sealers back home were staying ashore, citing lower demand for pelts and low pelt prices.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it has been advising sealers to check with their buyers before setting out the sea, and some have elected to pass on the hunt altogether, which opened at the ``Front'' on Newfoundland's northeast coast Wednesday.

``Overall activity level is significantly reduced in comparison to previous years,'' wrote Fisheries spokeswoman Michele Boriel. ``Six longliners and 17 small boats were active (Wednesday) and 2,652 seals were landed on the first day of the front hunt,'' she said, comparing this to 34,000 seals landed and 113 longliners sealing last year.

``We won't be taking part this year,'' said Jack Troake, a sealer from Twillingate, on the northeast coast, who missed the hunt only once before since he started sealing in 1951.

Troake said demand hardly warrants more than three boats going out instead of the whole local fleet.

``You must have a market for a number of animals - any less than 1,000 wouldn't be worth going for,'' he said, adding prices at $15 are half what they were last year and buyers say the pelts must be in perfect condition.

``All over the world the economy has bottomed out,'' Troake said, but adds there's always next year to look forward to. ``We Newfoundlanders live in hope, that's the reason why we're here on this bald rock.''

The news comes as Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dave Denine is in Ottawa Thursday and Friday to meet with European Union diplomats to make the province's case as an EU vote on a proposed ban on seal products looms.

Denine was scheduled to meet with ambassadors and embassy officials for countries including Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands, following similar meetings with other diplomats held by provincial Fisheries Minister Tom Hedderson last month.

With files from the St. John's Telegram.

(this is great news for the seals)

http://www.canada.com/officials+meet+hunt+some+sealers+stay/1503400/story.html

[flvegan]

1. When the EU bans seal products, we have endgame.

It will cost our friends Sea Shepherd their R/V Farley Mowat, but it's a small price to pay to bring this injustice to the public eye.

[Dead_Parrot]

2. Well, they might be getting a new boat soon anyway...

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/04/21/could-biodiesel-powered-earthrace-join-sea-shepherds-anti-whaling-fleet/



:evilgrin:

[Annces]

5. It would have to be able to deal with ice

and be loaded onto the "mother ship".

Also from info about it, it uses "animal fat", which is not vegan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthrace

[BobTheSubgenius]

3. I can't wait for the EU - and anyone (& everyone) else to ban the products of these atrocious hunts

This whole issue makes me sick, and, along with the Harper government, one of the few issues that make me ashamed to be a Canadian. On the whole, we're a pretty decent lot, but this.....beyond any pale.

[Annces]

4. It is unbelievable it still goes on

it defies logic.