AR-News: (CA) IFAW seal-hunt press conference

[Mary Finelli]

LARGEST CANADIAN SEAL HUNT IN 50 YEARS
IFAW press release, April 13, 2004


Toronto -- The International Fund for Animal Welfare will be in Toronto 
tomorrow, having just returned from observing the Canadian commercial seal 
hunt - the world's largest slaughter of marine mammals. Last year, the 
Government of Canada approved the largest harp seal quota in history, with a 
three-year allowable catch of nearly one million seals.

Ninety five per cent of the seals killed in the Canadian commercial seal 
hunt are under three months of age, and the majority are under one month of 
age. Most of these seals have not eaten their first solid meal or learned to 
swim at the time they are killed.

Even in Newfoundland, where 93 per cent of the hunt occurs, the economic 
contribution of the seal hunt is marginal. Exports of seal products from 
Newfoundland account for less than one-tenth of one percent of total exports 
from Newfoundland. Out of a population of over half a million people, 
approximately 4,000 Newfoundlanders engage in the hunt each year. Total take 
home pay for participation in the 2003 hunt averaged just over $1000 CAD per 
sealer. Pelt prices have tumbled this year and sealers are expected to take 
home even less.


Who: IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)

What: Press conference to discuss what IFAW observed at Canada's seal hunts 
- north of PEI and northwest of Newfoundland

When: Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 10:00 AM EST

Where: Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville
90 Bloor Street East,
Toronto, Ontario
Rosedale Room

http://www.canadasealhunt.ca ccutterifaw.org

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