The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is taking an opposing view to what some sealers are calling a serious predation problem with bearded seals on their crab stocks. Gary Stenson, head of DFO’s marine mammal section in St. John’s, disagrees with Brad Rideout, a fish harvester and co-owner of Phocolux seal plant in Fleur de Lys. Not only, says Rideout, are the seals eating crab in general, they are eating female crab which is affecting crab stocks in certain areas. Stenson believes there too few bearded seals to make an impact on stocks and no need to justify a call for a cull. But Brad Rideout believes there are more bearded seals out there than DFO thinks.
Please follow these links for further information and discussion on this topic:
– CBC News online article: Do we need a seal cull
– CBC News online article: Seals eating crabs
– CBC The Broadcast audio:
Harvesters show seal stomachs full of crab; DFO seal researcher responds
Harvesters show seal stomachs full of crab;
VOCM Audio: Interview with Brad Rideout
VOCM News: Seal processor asking if DFO hiding evidence?
Online Facebook group discussion: I Support the Seal Hunt