By The Canadian Press

HALIFAX, N.S. - Poor weather and heavy ice continue to thwart seal hunters in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Fewer than 850 seals out of a total quota of 64,000 animals have been killed since the hunt began Wednesday. Phil Jenkins, a spokesman for the federal Fisheries Department, says most of the seals have been taken by hunters in small boats.

He says conditions on the west coast of Newfoundland are rainy and windy and he expects very little hunting again today.

Bad weather has hindered hunters from the outset.

Ice-clogged harbours along Quebec's lower north shore are also making it difficult for vessels to depart for the hunt.