If we took about 275,000 out of the ocean last year, that�s not even 50 per cent of the increase.

�We have over six million (harp) seals out there,� said Efford.

�If they only pupped at a minimum rate of 10 per cent annually, that would be an increase in the population of 600,000 a year.

�If we took about 275,000 out of the ocean last year, that�s not even 50 per cent of the increase.�

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) launched its campaign on Monday to protest the upcoming commercial seal hunt. The group claims the number of seals killed each year for the past three years was more than 400,000. This, it said, is causing the seal population to decline.

�The current scientific evidence that the seal hunt quota is unsustainable is so strong, that certain groups have chosen to speak up for the first time,� said Rick Smith, IFAW Canada director.

Smith referred to a study done by Ontario marine biologist David Lavigne, who states that Canada�s seal hunt kills up to 40 per cent more animals than are actually caught and processed in the hunt.

They prey on the Newfoundland sealing industry to raise as much money as they possibly can for the financing of their organization

Efford, however, said Lavigne has always been opposed to the seal hunt and the paper is not based on good information. He said the document is basically more propaganda for the IFAW and other anti-sealing organizations.

�They prey on the Newfoundland sealing industry to raise as much money as they possibly can for the financing of their organization,� said Efford. �Every single year, prior to the seal hunt starting off, this is the kind of thing that comes out. What do you do with it? You just ignore them and continue on with the seal industry as we have been doing over the last four or five years."