Cut in seal hunt quotas possible for this year

[Animal 0]

Cut in seal hunt quotas possible for this year
Jan 22, 2007

http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=b4beb639-e09e-442b-8a7e-2b\
b9ea8947b6

Canadian Press

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will consider a quota
reduction for this year's seal fishery, says Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn.

The possible cut stems from concerns about the decreasing numbers of seals,
especially pups.

No final decision on how large a cut, if any, has been made. But Hearn said he
will know more when he meets with department staff in the next week to 10 days.

"Our people have been having consultations with people directly involved in the
hunt," Hearn said.

"There was some concern this year that the biomass, generally,is down a little
bit. I don't have the final figures on that. But we will be meeting on that to
assess any changes that have been made."

Last year the federal government set the quota for harp seals at 335,000
animals, including a one-time allowable catch for Aboriginal Peoples of 10,000
seals.

However, reports have indicated decreasing numbers of young seals due to the
high level of catches, as well as the high mortality rates of newborn seals as a
result of a lack of ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence over the last two or three
years.

When setting quotas, Hearn said, the market must also be considered.

"We do have an awful lot of seals, but, at the same time, you may be playing
with the markets. Sometimes having more product means lower price," he said.

"We're doing very well in the marketplace right now and we don't want to destroy
that, so we'll try to combine all of this and try and make a sensible decision."

Frank Pinhorn, managing director of the Canadian Sealers Association, said
sealers are expecting a cut, albeit a slight one.

Pinhorn said sealers would be willing to see a quota cut if it meant a better
future for the industry.

"Sealers don't want the seals to go the way of the cod," said Pinhorn, who was
among the group to recently meet with department officials to discuss the hunt.
"They don't support over harvesting. Now the question is, is there a need to cut
back right now?"

Pinhorn said over the next two to three years, Fisheries Department
representatives indicated they would take a close look at the seal population,
its age structure and then determine whether more significant adjustments should
be made to the quota.

"We can't go taking out more seals than the herd can withstand," Pinhorn said.
"We have to make sure that there's a certain number of seals going into the
biomass for the future."

David Lavigne, a scientist with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said
his association has been saying that for years.

"We certainly would agree, based on the scientific evidence, that it should be
reduced. We've been recommending this since 2000," said Lavigne, who insisted
quotas should be reduced based on catches alone.

"Good practice indicates that you take a precautionary approach because of the
uncertainty (of precise environmental and scientific data)."

[animo-aequoanimo 0]

Citation :

The possible cut stems from concerns about the decreasing numbers of seals, especially pups.

Tiens donc !!!!!

[Animal 0]

il me semble que c'est pourtant facile à comprendre ! Chaque année, ils tuent tous les bébés phoques - Comment peuvent-ils donc alors se reproduire