News

1. A SEALER'S LIFE FOR ME

Mark Small has been hunting seals off the coast of Newfoundland since the year John Diefenbaker was elected prime minister of Canada. He was 17, one of a family of 11 children, when he first went out on the ice in 1957.

Now, at 67, he owns two fishing vessels outfitted with the latest equipment, including a satellite phone, radar and sonar systems, and all the comforts of home like a shower, refrigerator and cooking range.

He bought his 65-foot vessel for $1-million in 1998, and picked up a 35-footer for $250,000 in 2004.

He took the bigger boat and a crew of eight out on this year's hunt. They caught about 10,000 seals, which at an average of $100 a pelt brought in around $100,000.

Half the money stayed with him and his boat and the other half was split among the crew members, giving them about $6,000 each.

His crew members, who have to obtain licences as assistant sealers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for $5 each, are not allowed to kill seals. Only professional sealers can do that.

The assistants are there to clean the pelts and learn the industry regulations under the captain's direction. After a two-year apprenticeship, they may obtain full licences to become professional sealers.

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2. BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE

Souring trade relations with Belgium may have many sweet-toothed Canadians worried about how long creamy milk chocolate will be allowed through our ports.

As popular as it is, however, chocolate is well down the list of commodities that Belgium sends us. The latest numbers from Industry Canada put chocolate and other cocoa products in 16th place – just above combine harvesters.

Last year, Belgium exported $1.96-billion worth of goods to Canada, led by fuels and mineral oils, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products, diamonds and – wait for it – beer.

In the other direction, Belgium is Canada's 10th most important export market. We exported $2.39-billion in goods to Belgium in 2006, including rough diamonds, nickel, linseed oil, zinc and durum wheat.

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3. FATTY ACIDS

Seal oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to have health benefits ranging from lowering cholesterol to reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Nu Tan Furs Inc. operates a manufacturing plant in Catalina, Nfld., that processes seal oil, which is later sold as a dietary supplement in bottles of 120 capsules at an average of $10 a bottle.

Sixty people work at the plant, which renders, filters and refines the oil before adding a food-grade antioxidant. The product is shipped to Ontario or Alberta to be put in capsules and then sent back to Newfoundland for bottling and labelling by yet another company.

The biggest market for Nu Tan's seal oil capsules is Scandinavia, which accounts for about 45 per cent of business.

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4. THE BUSINESS OF CHARITY

The International Fund for Animal Welfare Inc. has been leading the fight against Canada's seal hunt for decades.

Far from being a cash-strapped grassroots group painting posters in a university student's living room, the IFAW is a major charity with scientists and local program staff operating in 15 regional offices worldwide.

The IFAW's U.S. audited financial statement for the year ended June 30, 2006, shows the organization took in $9.9-million (U.S.) in donations and bequests. Total revenues, gains and other supports were $20.1-million. After $17.2-million in expenses, the IFAW had $31.4-million in net assets at the end of the fiscal year.

The 2006 annual report shows the Canadian branch devoted 82.3 per cent of its spending to program and institutional costs, and 17.7 per cent to fundraising.

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5. KANGAROO SHOES

Seals and sealers are not alone in stirring strong feelings. Just look at kangaroos and big-league soccer.

David Beckham switched to a synthetic leather version of his kangaroo skin adidas Predator soccer shoes last year out of respect for the vegetarian views of his wife, Victoria.

Now the English icon can't change his mind about his footwear, even if Posh would let him. He plays out of Los Angeles for the L.A. Galaxy, and California is down on kangaroo products.

Last month the Supreme Court of California upheld a state law banning the sale or import of anything made from kangaroos after a legal battle between animal rights activists and sportswear maker adidas AG.

The athletic apparel company argued the state law conflicted with the goals of the federal U.S. Endangered Species Act, which supports Australia's efforts to curb the exploding kangaroo population.

Many high-end soccer shoes are made from kangaroo hide, which is considered to be stronger and softer than calfskin.