SYDNEY, N.S. - A small seal hunt has officially opened off Cape Breton, but the federal Fisheries Department says ice conditions could keep sealers away.
Phil Jenkins says a couple of boats have headed out, but it's unclear whether any hunting will take place today. Jenkins says the wind is slow and the ice is "quite tight," which could make it difficult for boats to manoeuvre in the area.
Sheryl Fink of the International Fund for Animal Welfare says the organization has a helicopter in the air, but has been unable to find any hunters.
Sealers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have a small quota of 1,435 animals.
The seal hunt in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence wrapped up Wednesday after hunters reached their quota of 15,000 seals.
