Drop In Seal Hunters Is Significant
(apr. 14, 2008)
vocm.com

The number of sealing vessels participating in the hunt is down significantly this year. DFO spokesperson Larry Yetman says there are between 60 and 70 longliners on the Front, compared to some 245 last year. Approximately 45-55 smaller vessels are on the water compared to well over 4 hundred in 2007. Yetman says last year longliners in the Front got their quota in 17 hours, but it will take longer this year. He says about 38-39 per cent of the quota has been taken and they expect the hunt to continue for a couple more days. The Superintendent of Ice Operations with the Coast Guard, Denise Veber, says ice conditions are favourable so far on the Front. Brian Stone with Search and Rescue says their operations are busy, but not overwhelming. There have been 11 calls for assistance since Friday.