Loyola Hearn, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has set the quota for the harp seal hunt at 325,000 for 2006.

"We feel we have struck the appropriate balance between conservation and economic concerns," said Minister Hearn. "The seal hunt is humane and sustainable and it is an important economic activity for sealers and communities in Atlantic Canada and Quebec."

"The harp seal herd is abundant and healthy. It stands at approximately 5.8 million animals; nearly triple the size of the herd in the 1970s," he added. "This is a conservation success story."

Environmental groups have strongly criticised the decision claiming that the seal herd cannot sustain such a high kill. Groups have also highlighted doubts over the humane way in which seal hunting is carried out following Greenland’s decision to ban its state owned tannery from importing Canadian seals.