Ottawa considering further restrictions on seal hunt protesters

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Atlantic/061017/t101716.html

Ottawa considering further restrictions on seal hunt protesters
19:18:02 EDT Oct 17, 2006
Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) - Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn says officials are working on new restrictions to keep protesters farther from the East Coast seal hunt.

During an appearance before the Commons fisheries committee today, Hearn said he's going to do everthing legally possible to stop demonstrators from interfering with the annual event. He says it's a matter of safety for both the protesters and the hunters, who use guns to shoot their prey on ice floes.

Last spring, charges were laid against seven people who were involved in protesting and observing Canada's commercial seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Hearn would not say exactly what restrictions will be tightened.

Currently, protesters who are able to obtain observer permits can come within 10 metres of hunters and those without authorization have to stay back as far as half nautical mile.


© The Canadian Press, 2006