🚀 go-pugleaf

"pearl" <tea@signguestbook.ie> wrote in message news:c613ol$5m3$1@kermit.esat.net...
> "I R Canuck" <direct_your_NOSPAManger@NOSPAMpopstar.com> wrote in message
> news:SjSgc.34826$mn3.9966@clgrps13...
> > "pearl" <tea@signguestbook.ie> wrote in message news:c5uosa$g73$1@kermit.esat.net...
> > > Harp seals and Cod
> > > Questions and Answers
> >
> > <SNIP Answers to questions posed by those who've done no research
> > and would like to pretend Canada is 'scapegoating' the seal>
> >
> > http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/backgrou/2003/hq-ac01b_e.htm
> > __________________________________________________________
> > Impact of Seal Predation on Cod
> >
> > The 2001 Report of the Eminent Panel on Seal Management concluded
> > that seals consume large amounts of fish throughout Atlantic Canada,
> > but there is much less evidence that this predation is having a major
> > impact on the recovery of most commercial fish stocks.
> >
> > The findings of the report were not conclusive and many uncertainties
> > were acknowledged in providing realistic predictions. The Panel
> > acknowledged that gaining an understanding of the real impact of seals
> > on the recovery of cod is extremely complex and requires an in-depth
> > understanding of the marine ecosystem as well as additional research.
> > Findings highlighted in the report include:
> >
> > The consumption of cod, and some other commercial species, by seals
> > in Divisions 2J3KL and 4RS3Pn is so large that a reduction in seal
> > predation could reasonably be expected to have a substantial effect on
> > the size of these stocks. However, the extent of this reduction would
> > have to be large in order for an impact to be observed.
> >
> > There is not a simple, straight-line relationship between seal predation
> > and the state of fish populations. The interaction between seals,
> > groundfish and other species is complex and variable. For instance,
> > seals eat cod, but seals also eat other fish that prey on cod. Moreover,
> > other factors such as environmental changes and fishing levels must be
> > considered in trying to determine why cod stocks have not yet recovered.
> >
> > The harp seal population has grown to the highest level recorded.
> > Coupled with the fact that the annual TAC has rarely been taken in full,
> > the panel expects a gradual increase in seal numbers if the current
> > management approach is maintained.
> >
> > The current scientific knowledge is insufficient to determine the impact
> > of a seal cull on cod fisheries in the short, medium or long term. Science
> > and resource managers question the value of a cull in a fishery driven by
> > economic market conditions. More importantly, there is no way of
> > knowing how other predators and prey might respond to a decrease in
> > the seal population.
> >
> > Current estimates of cod consumption by seals vary greatly from less
> > than one per cent to more than 20 per cent of diet, depending on the
> > type of seal researched, the time of year and location of the studies.
> > The panel concluded that more comprehensive research needs to be
> > done to more accurately estimate the amount of cod that seals are
> > consuming.
> > __________________________________________________________
> >
> > I see no scapegoating.
>
> 'Canadian Natural Resources Minister John Efford said many
> claims about the hunt were simply wrong. He argued that the
> seal population was exploding - with an estimated 5.2 million
> harp seals in the North Atlantic at present � and commercial
> fish stocks were vanishing. '
> http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=041304105510

So, let me get this straight.  When looking for Canadian Goverment
opinions, one should look to 'indolink' an indian news site (Even
considering they don't provide a quote) as opposed to say . . .
the Canadian Government.

Face it pearl, the Canadian Government has been falsely accused
of 'scapegoating' seals as the cause of the decline in fish stocks.

As far as John Efford goes.  Even in the 'indolink' news story, he
didn't accuse the seal of being the cause for the decline in cod
populations.  He simply noted that:
1. The seal population has reached a record high (since recording
began).
2. The commercial fish stock is vanishing.
Both of which are true.  It's not up to you to put words into his (or
anyone elses) mouth, like you do so often.