A veritable who’s who in the provincial fishing industry is in attendance at a Seal Summit being held in St. John’s, but media are being denied access to the activities or what is being discussed.

Federal Minister Joyce Murray, who is hosting the event, is speaking with reporters later this afternoon, but the details on what is being discussed in terms of fisheries science, impact of seals on stock recovery, available markets for seal products and options to address seal populations, is unavailable to reporters.

Murray indicated on VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that it was a conscious decision.

“I wanted people to speak their piece,” she says and indicated that speaking on VOCM Open Line and talking to reporters afterwards provided “a balance between access to what’s going on and having that place where people can have a frank discussion.”