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Sun, August 27, 2006
Big bucks to quit hunt

By CP

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. -- The head of a U.S.-based beauty products empire says her multimillion-dollar offer for fishermen to stop the East Coast seal hunt still stands.

Cathy Kangas, CEO and founder of RRAI Beauty, told the Summerside Journal Pioneer that she's still prepared to spend millions to convince Canadian fishermen to stop the annual slaughter.

She wants Ottawa and provincial governments to match her contributions, and together offer $16 million to replace the income fishermen bring in.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the landed value for the 2005 hunt exceeded $16.5 million. The department has said this year's hunt could be the most profitable ever, with a landed value between $25 million and $30 million.

The federal government refused her offer when she first floated the idea in April, but Kangas said she has talked to sealers in Prince Edward Island who would be happy to exchange their licences for cash.

"P.E.I. could become a seal sanctuary. It could bring tourists here," Kangas said in a phone interview from Connecticut.

Kangas said she is prepared to meet with Prince Edward Island Premier Pat Binns to discuss her proposal. There are 22 active seal licences in the province.

The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association doesn't like the idea.

Association president Ed Frenette said fishermen want to curb an exploding seal population that is consuming commercial fish and fouling lobster gear.

He said his association is pressing for increased access to the East Coast seal hunt.
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