Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Government of Canada Stands Up for Sealers
A statement by Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, issued the following statement on April 12:
The Government of Canada has taken action to protect the safety and livelihoods of Canadian sealers by boarding and seizing the Farley Mowat to arrest its Captain and Chief Officer for alleged violations of Canada's Marine Mammal Regulations (MMR). These actions were taken in accordance with Canadian fisheries legislation.
The safety and security of sealers remains our government's focus and is what guides our decisions on the water.
Today's action will help ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the seal hunt. We will continue to protect sealers while ensuring the sustainable and humane management of the hunt so it continues to provide economic opportunities for Canada's coastal communities in the future.
It's about time!!
Roger WalkerArticle online since April 17th 2008
I am glad to see that the government of Canada is finally placing it's own people above others, and showing a back-bone in the enforcements of our laws. In the past the government of Canada would allow other nations involved in the fishing, and other, industries to come and go and do as they plesed. Now the Federal Fisheries Minister is finally doing the job appointed to him.
Speaking as a former fisherman of 25 years, I have seen when the D.F.O., Department of Fisheries and Oceans, would seem less interested in what foriegn boats were doing than what was happening with our own fleets. It is good to see that the Minister of Fisheries is doing his job, and I can only hope that both the Federal Government and the courts will do the right thing and show everyone that this is CANADA, and if you don't want to follow our laws and ways then maybe it's time for you to leave.
Once again, to our Federal Minister of Fishing I say,,,
"It's about time, job well done".