Speaking at the Barry Group Inc. seal tannery in Catalina, Canada, Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador, announced that as of April 1, 2008, the government will require that all seals landed in the area undergo full primary processing, to the tanned stage in the province.

“This new policy will create additional employment opportunities for residents of the province and have significant implications for our rural economy,” said Mr Rideout. “The new policy will require that seal pelts be processed to a final consumer stage before leaving the province.”

At present, there is no minimum processing requirement other than the seal be pelted by the harvester. Some pelts are currently salted and shipped out while others are tanned to the semi-finished stage. Approximately one half of the pelts harvested in the province are fully processed to the stage that will now be required for all pelts harvested in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 “My department has consulted with the seal processing industry on this matter. As we go forward, all companies involved will receive formal notice that this requirement will be implemented,” said the minister. “Announcing this change in policy now provides ample opportunity for processors to obtain the necessary machinery and train sufficient workers to perform this procedure within their own operation by April 1, 2008. Alternatively, processing facilities may also make arrangements with other companies within the province to carry out all primary processing of the pelt before it leaves the province.”
 

More than 90% of harp seals harvested are harvested by Newfoundland and Labrador sealers. The seal harvest registered a vibrant year in 2005, with a landed value of approximately $15.7 million and a market value approaching $40 million. Between 400 and 500 individuals are employed in the province’s seal processing facilities and an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 sealers participate in the seal harvest.