Catch and release is a great concept. I like the way that this fishing sport has evolved. I have friends in Canada who go on annual fishing trips and their 'cath & release' philosophy has been passed on very successfully through generations. Its a great way to enjoy and save the natural resource.

I think the buy-out idea should be used for the commercial seal slaughter in Canada, as well as other countries that have commercial seal hunts such as Namibia and Norway.  Climate change is destroying habitat that harp seals in the Northwest Atlantic need to have their pups and its likely their population will continue to decline as climate change becomes worse.  The commercial seal hunt only exists because of subsidies to the fur and sealing industries from the Canadian government and Newfoundland provincial government.  Since it brings in so little money, after the costs and subsidies are accounted for, I think a license retirement program should be the solution. Healthy marine ecosystems need predators like seals, whales and sharks and commercial hunting just adds to the uneven balance of predator and prey.