DFO advises sealers residing in sealing areas 4 - 8 who are operating from vessels less than 65 feet that the fishery for harp seals in sealing areas 4 - 7 and area 12 will re-open at 6 a.m. Newfoundland time, Thursday, April 14, 2005.
The seal fishery will close at 7:30 p.m., Newfoundland Time, Thursday, April 14, 2005 to all sealers residing in Sealing areas 5 - 8, operating from vessels between 35' and 64'11", and to any sealer operating from any vessel less than 35 feet that has a sealer with a homeport in sealing area 6 onboard.
The fishery will remain closed to both of these fleets until DFO has determined catch levels. A limited re-opening may follow if there is a sufficient number of seals remaining in the allocations for these fleet sectors.
Sealing activity may be concentrated in specific areas as ice cover is limited and ice conditions have deteriorated over the past few days. Sealers are advised to exercise caution.