CANADIAN SEAL SUMMIT CONCLUDES

Canadian seal summit concludes. Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, has closed the two-day Seal Summit, which brought together Indigenous partners, the commercial fishing industry, provincial and territorial representatives, and other stakeholders and experts.

During the Summit, attendees held productive discussions on exploring new opportunities to expand Canadian seal products into export markets, the importance of the seal harvest to Indigenous communities, and addressing gaps in data regarding seal populations. Attendees heard from science and fisheries management experts, Indigenous elders, industry experts and the Atlantic Seal Science Task Team.

Concluding the Summit, Minister Murray announced that Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched an open call for project proposals to increase our understanding of ocean and freshwater environments, including the role of seals in the ecosystem.

Joyce Murray said:

“The Seal Summit has deepened our understanding of the opportunities and challenges related to seals, an abundant, sustainable natural resource. Our government is committed to working with Indigenous partners and industry to maintain the existing markets for Canadian seal products and support innovation in developing new products and markets at home, and around the world.”

• A small amount of seal is harvested in Canada annually, and is used to produce a variety of items, including food and clothing.
• Indigenous peoples in Canada have a constitutionally protected right to harvest marine mammals, including seals.

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