Seal Hunt: “Human role essential to balance of ecosystem” (Minister of Newfoundland government)

TOM RIDEOUT:
Get the facts

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Tom Rideout is minister of fisheries and aquaculture for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is also a former premier of the province and a former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party there. He served an earlier term as minister of fisheries, from 1985 to 1989.

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I ask readers to consider the following before making any final judgement on the East Coast seal fishery. This fishery has been proven to be humane, sustainable, and well regulated.Each year Newfoundland and Labrador, other Atlantic provinces and Quebec are subjected to international ad campaigns and the spread of erroneous information. The well-funded campaign mounted by animal rights groups has seriously undermined the sealing industry in this province. It continues to mislead people by publicizing outdated and illegal practices that are no longer relevant and no longer exist.

Animal rights activists continue to focus on the visual appeal of the whitecoat harp seal, negatively influencing millions of people, even though this harvest is no longer permitted. In fact, these organizations know that these seals have been excluded from the harvest for more than two decades. Furthermore, the annual seal fishery is very sustainable and the population is not in any way threatened. The seal population on Canada’s East Coast is estimated at nearly six million animals, the highest level in decades. The harp seal population has tripled since 1970, with nearly one million animals born each year. The harvest is based on sound scientific evidence on healthy populations.

Humane methods followed, monitored

Research of the modern day harvest by veterinary experts has concluded that seals are killed in a humane manner. Our seal fishery is highly regulated and is being closely monitored to ensure that it is conducted in accordance with the best established practices. It is no less humane than the methods used to sustain a continual supply of product for meat departments in local grocery stores. More than 90 per cent of sealers off Quebec and Atlantic Canada use firearms to kill seals.

Professional sealers in Newfoundland and Labrador conduct their work with respect for the resource they harvest and do so with a strong view to maximum utilization. A variety of food products have been developed and are being marketed successfully. These include sausages and other meat products. As well, omega-3 oil, derived from blubber, is marketed worldwide as a health supplement. As you may be aware, omega-3 seal oil has been linked to health benefits, with positive results in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Other products include leather and fur for newly developing garment industries in Russia, Asia and other world markets.

Many rural regions depend on the traditional way of life, including the seal harvest, for their economic survival. The seal industry is now worth more than $45 million to the local economy and in the current year, the seal fishery will provide a significant portion of the income of more than 4,000 fishermen and plant workers. This industry sustains their lives, puts food on their tables and clothes on their backs.

Human role essential to balance of ecosystem

Taking seal harvesting out of the marine ecosystem throws it out of balance. Humans are part of this ecosystem and have a responsibility to the environment. Seal herds have a significant impact on marine resources: researchers estimated that the seals consumed about 3.5 million metric tonnes (MT) of marine species in Atlantic Canada in 1996, of which 82 per cent is attributed to harp seals. These estimates show that consumption is threatening already dwindling fish stocks, with seals in Newfoundland and Labrador consuming 250,000 MT of turbot, 800,000 MT of capelin and 142,000 MT of Atlantic cod. We must also be concerned about other species such as salmon, which are also in serious decline. This type of imbalance in the ecosystem calls for new approaches to fisheries management.

Given the significance of the seal fishery to this province, economically and ecologically, I ask that you consider this information before passing any judgment on the East Coast seal fishery. The harvest is of great importance to thousands of individuals and has represented a way of life for more than 500 years.