[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 125 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1669]]



      URGING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO END THE COMMERCIAL SEAL 
                                  HUNT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                  in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2007

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for 
the Record a letter from Canadian Ambassador Michael Wilson in regards 
to H. Res. 427 the bill introduced by Mr. Lantos from California urging 
the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt.


                                             Canadian Embassy,

                                    Washington, DC, June 25, 2007.
     Hon. Tom Lantos,
     Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of 
         Representatives, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of 
         Representatives, B-360 Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen: I am 
     writing regarding House Resolution 427, urging the Government 
     of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt, scheduled for mark 
     up by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, June 26, 
     2007. As outlined below, Canada pursues a sustainable and 
     humane harvest of the seal herds. In this context, I would 
     ask that the Committee on Foreign Affairs reconsider 
     proceeding with this resolution.
       The Government of Canada takes its role as steward of the 
     environment and wildlife seriously and is committed to the 
     sustainable management of its renewable resources. The 
     Canadian seal hunt is a sustainable, economically viable 
     activity based on sound conservation principles.
       Canada sets quotas at levels that ensure the health and 
     abundance of seal herds. The harp seal population, 
     approximately 5.8 million animals based on a 2004 survey, is 
     nearly triple what it was in the 1970s. In no way can seals--
     and harp seals in particular--be considered ``endangered 
     species''. Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the seal hunt 
     and has put in place a five-year management plan for 2006-
     2010. In 2007 the total allowable catch was reduced 
     considerably to ensure the resource remains sustainable.
       The Canadian commercial quota is unrelated to groundfish 
     stock levels. Several factors have contributed to the lack of 
     recovery of Atlantic cod stocks, such as fishing effort, poor 
     growth and physical condition of the fish, and environmental 
     changes. In addition, there are many uncertainties in the 
     estimates of the amount of fish consumed by seals.
       The Government of Canada makes every effort to ensure the 
     seal hunt is conducted in a safe and humane manner. The seal 
     hunt is c1osely monitored and tightly regulated. Fisheries 
     and Oceans Canada officers monitor catches, ensure humane 
     harvesting practices, and enforce regulations and licence 
     conditions. The hunting of harp seal pups (whitecoats) and 
     hooded seal pups (bluebacks) is illegal--and has been since 
     1987. Penalties are substantial and can include court-imposed 
     fines and orders to forfeit catches, gear, boats and 
     licenses.
       In September 2002 veterinarians from the Canadian 
     Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) issued a Special Report 
     on Animal Welfare and the Harp Seal Hunt in Atlantic Canada. 
     In independent observations of the seal hunt, the study 
     concluded that 98 percent of seals taken during the hunt were 
     harvested in an acceptably humane manner, contrary to the 
     reference in tile resolution. Harvesting methods used for the 
     seal hunt have also been studied and approved by the Royal 
     Commission on Seals and Sealing.
       An Independent Veterinarians' Working Group formed in 2005, 
     with representatives from the United States and four other 
     countries, made observations and recommendations to further 
     improve management and hunting practices. Fisheries and 
     Oceans Canada is currently working to adopt these and other 
     recommendations including improved enforcement and sealer 
     training. Neither of the above groups called for a ban on the 
     hunt.
       Seals are a valuable natural resource that provides 25-30 
     percent of an annual income to thousands of Canadians in many 
     remote coastal communities. This is a significant income when 
     average annual incomes may be only $17,OOOUSD a year and 
     unemployment rates are far above the national average. 
     Sealing and fishing are also time-honoured traditions that 
     allow people to provide for their families through knowledge 
     of the marine environment and hard work.
       In light of this clarification on the sustainable 
     management and humane harvest of the seal herds in Canada, I 
     would ask that the Committee on Foreign Affairs reconsider 
     whether proceeding with this resolution is warranted.
       I have included a fact sheet that provides more information 
     on the seal harvest in Canada. The Embassy staff remain 
     available to meet with your staff to discuss these issues 
     further.
           Yours sincerely,
                                                   Michael Wilson,
     Ambassador.

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