Their biggest lie � the stock photo of a sealer clubbing a young seal to death.

Fur is back on the world�s fashion stage in a big way after being hit hard in the early 1990s by a combination of mild winters, a recession and a well organized anti-fur movement.

According to recent reports, this year almost 200 fashion designers are using fur in their creations � an increase of more than 150 per cent since 1985 � and fur has become a staple for everything from evening wear to accessories. Mink and fox are the favourites of many designers, some of whom are even offering fur-lined products for children.

While those in the fur industry are cautiously optimistic, many believe they are beginning to make progress in their public relations battle with the anti-fur protesters. However, the British still appear to be on the side of the protesters.

Much of the credit for this new-found interest in fur has to go to the organizations representing fur farmers in Scandinavia who provide half the world�s fur pelts. For the last 10 years, these organizations have been wining and dining established fashion designers and promising young ones.

Those involved in the province�s sealing industry could probably pick up a few pointers from the Scandinavians on how to effectively market their products in Europe.

The rejuvenation of fur as a fashion commodity can only bode well for the Newfoundland seal fishery. As mink and fox furs continue to gain popularity, seal fur shouldn�t be too far behind.

That, in turn, should open up European markets for seal products.

However, this upsurge in the fur markets is not going to go unnoticed by the anti-sealing protesters. They will be out in force again this year with their usual propaganda, especially their biggest lie � the stock photo of a Newfoundland sealer clubbing a young whitecoat harp seal to death on the ice floes.

The harvest of whitecoat seals has been banned for more than a decade and there are regulations to ensure the humane treatment of adult animals.

Hopefully, those closer to home will soon come to the same realization, particularly the politicians in Ottawa who squirm in their seats when you mention the word seal. Their fear of the protesters can only compare with their fear of not being re-elected.

It�s time for them to come to grips with the truth. There are more than five million harp seals off the shores of Newfoundland and the meagre number of animals harvested (about 300,000 last year) doesn�t even put a dent in the exploding populations.

The growing popularity of fur in the fashion industry could be the break the province�s sealing industry needs. It could provide the incentive required to turn a fledging industry into a major money-maker for inshore fishermen.

And it couldn�t have come at a better time, as depleted groundfish stocks force fishermen to turn to other species to supplement their incomes.

These recent developments in the fur industry should also bolster the argument for increasing the total allowable catch of seals in 1999. If that isn�t enough, there is also the welfare of the cod stocks to consider. As the seal herds continue to grow, they eat more of that valuable resource.

It may be wishful thinking, but these recent developments may lead to the downfall of the anti-sealing protesters who prosper through the ignorance of those unfamiliar with the seal fishery.