Yury Trutnyev, the Russian Minister of Natural Resources, announced a ban on the hunting of all harp seals less than one year old. "This bloody hunting is from now on banned in our country, as in most developed countries. This is an important measure to preserve Russia's biodiversity," he said. The Russian ban effectively ends commercial seal hunting in that country, as most of the market for pelts comes from seals less than a year old, reported The National Post. A quota had previously allowed for the harvesting of up to 35,000 seals in the White Sea, near Russia's border with Finland.

Just three countries now have a commercial harp seal hunt. Greenland and Norway combine for an annual catch of less than 50,000 - dwarfed by the Canadian quota of 275,000 last year. The image shows a Canadian seal-hunter at work.

Read the experts from the March 18, 2009 publication by the National Post ("Russia's seal-hunt ban pushes Canada further into isolation," by Michael McKiernan):

The move came as a surprise to Thomas Hedderson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador, whose province is preparing for the beginning of its annual hunt. Harp seal reserves off the coast there number well more than five million and are increasing, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

"I'm not as familiar with the Russian hunt as I am with our own, but they're clearly having problems we are not experiencing," he said.

"Our hunt is one of the best-managed and most-regualted industries you'll see anywhere. It's sustainable, it's viable and it's humane."

Equally surprised was Sheryl Fink, although that's where similarities with Mr. Hedderson end. She works as a researcher for the International Fund for Animal Welfare based in Guelph, Ont. The Russian branch of the organization held rallies in cities across the country last month, but after years of fruitless campaigning, Mr. Putin's support caught them off guard.

"It highlights the fact that Canada is still in the Dark Ages on this issue. It's astounding when even the government of Russia is more willing to listen to its own people than ours is," Ms. Fink said.

"It's time for Canada to act, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Governments have shown they're content to plough ahead with the status quo and I expect that extraordinary level of denial to continue."

The Russian ban is just the latest in a string of blows to the Canadian seal hunt. Last month, a European Union committee endorsed a proposal that would prohibit member states from importing seal products. That plan could be put into action as soon as next month.

Although Mr. Putin has yet to indicate whether his sympathies for the creatures extends far enough to copy the EU approach and ban imports, his stance has pushed Canada further into the proverbial corner.

Just three countries now have a commercial harp seal hunt. Greenland and Norway combine for an annual catch of less than 50,000 - dwarfed by the Canadian quota of 275,000 last year.

Mr. Hedderson plays down the significance of the Russian move, saying it's simply the latest round in an old debate.

"For 30 years our professional harvesters have been taking the brunt of the pressure from special interest groups and this year is no different. The campaign is ratcheting up as it always does at this time of year," he said.

He's girded for the fight and remains confident the seal hunt will survive, whatever the views of the Russian Prime Minister.

"I don't know where he's coming from, whether it's a personal point of view or his country's view," Mr. Hedderson said. "But we must look after our own resources, including seals, regardless of what others think."