Marine Mammal Regulations

32 (1) A seal fishery observation licence may be issued only if the Minister determines that the issuance of the licence will not cause disruption to a seal fishery.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister, in determining whether the issuance of a seal fishery observation licence will cause disruption to a seal fishery in a specific geographical area, shall consider

• (a) the period and geographical area for which the licence is being sought;

• (b) the number of seal fishery observation licences previously issued for that period in that area;

• (c) the number of seal hunters operating in that area; and

• (d) whether the applicant has a stated aim of disrupting the seal fishery or has been convicted, in the five years preceding the application for the licence, of tagging, marking or moving a live seal or of approaching within one-half nautical mile of a person who is on the ice fishing for seals.