Since union with Newfoundland this Department has been concerned with conservation measures which might be adopted regarding the stocks of harp seals in the waters off the Province of Newfoundland.

The seal fishery has been prosecuted for many years by Newfoundland, Canadian mainland and Norwegian interests and there appears to be some evidence that at the rate of kill of the baby seals and adults each spring there is danger of depletion. For the past two seasons the Department through the Fisheries Research Board has been carrying out a survey of the situation. Aerial photography of the seal herds on the ice has been done as well as considerable tagging of the animals. The aerial photography was done for the purpose of trying to arrive at an estimated count of the population; the tagging to ascertain the migratory habits and range of the seals.

Norwegian sealers also participate to a very large extent in the fishery each year, and because of this international aspect, it will be necessary before any conservation regulations can be applied with respect to Canadian nationals to see if agreement can be reached with the Norwegian Government on a mutually satisfactory basis for the conservation and protection of the seal herds.

As a result of our scientific investigations, observations and discussions with the Canadian sealing industry, it is our view that as a first step towards some type of regulation, opening and closing dates for the taking of seals should be determined. For many years the Newfoundland sealers, by regulation and custom, commenced operations not earlier than March 13 of each year. Norwegian sealers, on the other hand, usually commence killing a few days before this date. During the past two years particularly the difference in the starting dates has caused some difficulties on the sealing grounds, aside from the fact that we believe there should be a common starting date for all sealers in the interest of conservation of the stocks.

We accordingly have had discussions with the Canadian sealing industry and agreement has been reached that the opening date each year should be not earlier than March 10 for what is termed the "front" and March 5 for the Gulf of St. Lawrence area. The "front" might⁴⁰ be described as the area off northeast Newfoundland and north and south west to a line probably drawn from Armour Point on the Labrador Coast to Flower's Cove, Newfoundland, in the Strait of Belle Isle. South of this line on the west side of Newfoundland would be defined as the Gulf of St. Lawrence area.

With regard to a closing date it bas been suggested to the Canadian industry that April 30 should be the final date for killing. There is, however, some difference of opinion on this point and it may be necessary to leave this aspect in abeyance pending further investigation, taking into account the practicalities of the sealing operations. Other forms of conservation measures have been suggested but these would require additional study and discussion with industry representatives before any conclusions could be reached.

What we have in mind at this time is that an approach should be made immediately to the Norwegian authorities on an informal basis to see if mutual agreement can be arrived at for the 1952 season on common opening dates as described above; that they should be sounded out on the tentative proposal for an April 30 closing date. I might say that last April, during the meeting of the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries at Washington, the Norwegian delegates were informally and unofficially approached on this sealing matter. At the time it was indicated that Norway would be in favour of an international agreement for the regulation of sealing and it was expressed that perhaps an informal arrangement could be worked out for the 1952 season and later a conference could be arranged to work out details for concluding a formal treaty. At such a formal conference invitations should perhaps be sent to the United Kingdom, the United States and other interested countries to participate. In the meantime, however, so far as we are aware the only countries actively interested in sealing operations in the northwest Atlantic and Gulf of St. Lawrence areas are Canada and Norway. If a formal conference on sealing is to be called there might be opportunity to hold it some time in June of next year. Representatives of countries who might be interested in scaling will all likely be present at the meeting of the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries which is scheduled to be held at St. Andrews, N.B., towards the end of June. I should think that we could take advantage of interested people being present then to have either formal or informal talks on the sealing question.

For the present, however, it would be appreciated if steps could be taken by your Department for an immediate approach to the Norwegian authorities for an informal agreement covering the opening and closing dates for the 1952 sealing season along the lines outlined above. It is regretted that it has not been possible to present this matter to you before now, but we have only recently concluded our discussions with the Canadian industry representatives. It is likely that the Norwegian sealing fleet will very shortly be making its preparations for fitting out to leave for the sealing grounds, probably some time in February. The matter is therefore of some urgency as we should like, if possible, to have the informal arrangement for the 1952 season concluded as early as possible.

If there is any further information I can supply on this matter please let me know.

Yours very truly,
G.R. CLARK