Enough Ice for Sealers?

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The 2006 killing season is bringing the seal hunt opposition to new levels.

Will there be enough ice for the sealers in 2006?

Warm weather may prevent seal hunt

CANADA IN BRIEF
Article from the Chronicle Herald
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Wednesday March 8, 2006

CHARLOTTETOWN (CP) This year's unseasonably warm weather may prevent a harp seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Although federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn is poised to make a formal announcement in the next few days, reports from Canadian Coast Guard ice specialists are anything but reassuring for sealers.

For ice to be safe for sealing, it needs to be at least 30 to 50 centimetres thick. As of now, they say there is only 20 to 30 per cent of the thicker material in the entire Gulf.

Making things even more unlikely for safe hunting conditions is the general forecast for the coming week, which is supposed to see warm and above-normal temperatures.