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Anti-sealing groups, Humane Society United States

Canadian Seafood Boycott a Dismal Failure

By Myles Higgins

Thursday, March 15, 2007

While anti-sealing groups would like the soft hearted and donation rich public to believe that a call for boycott of Canadian seafood products is actually having an effect on the fishing industry in Canada, they are clearly out of touch with reality.

Over the past year or so the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has flatly denied any significant impact from the efforts of anti-sealing group's like HSUS to convince foriegn buyers to avoid Canadian sea products. Now local fishing industry numbers out of Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the largest proponents of the seal harvest, confirm that the boycott is having no effect.

On March 8, the Newfoundland and Labrador government released its annual report on the condition of the provincial seafood industry and the report clearly shows that the fishing industry has overcome significant global challenges in 2006 despite claims by the anti-sealing lobby.

In a press release Provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Tom Rideout, noted that there is much reason to remain optimistic, despite the negative impacts of a high Canadian dollar, soft markets, stiff competition from low cost producers and high international tariffs.

I'd say that's an understatement, Tom. If the numbers presented show anything they show an industry that is growing in spite of the global challenges facing it.

Minister Rideout noted that 2006 was a tremendous year for the seal harvest in particular, with production values reaching $55 million, up from $40 million recorded in 2005, an increase in value of more than 35%. $30.2 million of this went directly to sealers and their families and thanks to a high world demand for the products the value of pelts rose to $105 each, up from $56 in 2005. It is expected that the price per pelt will rise even higher this season. Some estimates put the value at nearly $120 per pelt.

While the seal harvest continues to garner record revenues needed to help sustain local fishermen, it should be noted that thanks to intensive industry management and conservation efforts the population of the Atlantic seal herd has grown. While numbers dipped just slightly this year, the herd is now sitting near the highest population level seen in decades.

Sealers take less than 2% of the population each year in an effort to safe guard the healthy sustainability of the herd and to ensure the livelihood it provides.

2006 also marked an increase in shellfish landings and seafood production value, while lower than in 2005 when it reached $940 million, stood at $900 million in 2006. Still near historically high levels.

"The aquaculture sector also reached a significant milestone in 2006," said Minister Rideout, "and it continues to emerge as a flagship industry for rural Newfoundland and Labrador. During 2006, production surpassed 10,000 tonnes with an associated $52.3 million in export value." The production numbers represent an increase of 28.6% over the previous year.

If a boycott of Canadian seafood by animal rights groups means that Newfoundland and Labrador can increase its production value on seals by over 35% while ensuring the seal population continues to thrive, then I'm all in favor of it. If it also means that near record levels for other seafood products can be attained and that the aquaculture sector can grow by nearly 29% then bring it on. Boycott to your hearts delight.

It's clear that this boycott is ineffective at anything other than convincing a sadly misinformed public that their donations are being put to good use.


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