NEWS RELEASEOffice of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release
Jones calls upon premier to up the profile of the sealing industry
Opposition Leader and MHA for Cartwright – L’anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, says the premier needs to step up the profile of the sealing industry in this province, especially to highlight that the seal hunt is a very humane and sustainable one.
Jones was responding to today’s media reports that the EU has moved towards banning seal products.
"The are global media reports stating that the seal hunt in this province is an inhumane hunt and that is a false impression that needs to be corrected," says Jones. "The premier and his minister should put forward the necessary resources to create an international campaign focusing on the importance of the industry in this province and to right the misinformation existing in the public domain."
The seal fishery provides direct employment for over 6,000 people on a part-time basis per year in Newfoundland and Labrador. Some sealers have stated their income from sealing can represent from 25-35% of their total annual income. The sealing industry contributed approximately $30 million to harvesters’ income in 2006, and approximately $55 million to the provincial economy.
Jones says the seal fishery is too important of an industry to the people who depend on it for a livelihood and for the province. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence of the health benefits of seal oil which could represent a huge growth potential for this industry. "The premier should have been more proactive on this issue. There is a critical need to develop a proper dialogue with the federal government to work towards a long-term plan for the future of this industry."
This recent threat of a ban of seal products by the EU is yet another bump in a rocky road for the seal fishery. The past few years have seen the return on a seal pelt decrease from $105 to an expected $33 this year.
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Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477