P. O. Box 8700, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, A1B 4J6, Telephone (709) 729-3705, Facsimile (709) 729-6082
Letters of Acknowledgement from
the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in cooperation with the Government of Canada, supports a full utilization policy that ensures complete use of all products, including pelts, meat oil and by-products. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has focused efforts on Omega-3 seal oil products and we recognize the importance of seal oil products in world markets.
Harp seal is a marine mammal found abundantly in the ice-cold waters off Newfoundland and Labrador.
Blubber from harp seal is a rich source of long-chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) which have attracted much interest and are the focus of attention. The interest in marine oils stemmed from the observation of the Greenland Eskimos in which fish as well as seal meat and blubber was important. The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVS) in Eskimos was considerably less than that of the Danish population, despite their high fat consumption.
The beneficial health effects of Omega-3 PUFA have been attributed to their ability to lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol. In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal growth and development and may play a role in the prevention and treatment of hypertension, arthritis, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, diabetes and cancer of the breast and prostate.
We believe that the potential for seal oil is tremendous and has the greatest as a health food supplement and for treatment of certain diseases.
