Meeting Report
C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals:
Toward Well-Managed, Valued and Sustainable Resource Use
Friday, November 14, 2008
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Desmarais Multidisciplinary Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East
Morning: Room DMS 4170 (4th floor)
Afternoon: Room DMS11-143 (11th floor)
This document summarizes the Special C-FOAM Workshop in grey seals held at the
Desmarais Building of the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa on Friday,
November 14, 2008. A group of 13 participants (see appendix of Participants‟ List below)
attended the one-day workshop. This report outlines the discussion, and includes a number of
key recommendations developed at the workshop. Finally, a series of next steps were prepared
aimed at continuing the discussion on grey seals in 2009.
I. Introduction and Roundtable (All participants)
Dan Lane, C-FOAM Director opened the workshop and welcomed all attendees. He
provided workshop participants with a package of documents relating to the ecology, status,
harvesting and marketing of seals to be reviewed. He noted that this workshop was aimed at
addressing the status of Atlantic grey seals in Eastern Canada and some of the key issues
surrounding ecosystem impacts of grey seal harvest, emerging markets for grey seals, and
other business opportunities involving Grey seals. He also set the scene and justified the
current focus on Grey seals. Despite the public perception of seal harvests, the Grey Seals in
Cape Breton was identified as being less controversial then the large scale Newfoundland harp
seal harvest. In the case of Cape Breton, this is a small-scale, emerging fishery, for a species
with no appreciable market value. It is being considered in this workshop as a means of
studying it may serve as a guide for the management of the more controversial, large-scale
fisheries.
The question was posed to workshop attendees that facilitated a roundtable discussion:
“Can markets be developed for grey seal meat or other products despite the extremely
poor public perceptions on seal hunting?” (This was identified as the major challenge in
the face of widespread criticism and pending EU product bans on seal products.)
The small and diverse group that took part in the workshop discussions included members of
C-FOAM, academia (the Telfer School of Management, Cape Breton University, UPEI, ),
advocacy, DFO management and science, the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), a Hay Island
sealer, and a private sector/venture capital representative. Comments from invited workshop
participants follow.
Pierre-Yves Daoust (UPEI-AVC) noted that the Grey seal fishery is a new fishery and we
should take care to develop it correctly.
Dave Ferguson (Cape Breton sealer) reported that he was always hearing from fishermen
École de gestion Telfer School of Management
Université d’Ottawa • University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
613 562-5800 (4795)
www.C-FOAM.Management.uOttawa.ca
about seals and noted that it seems to be an up-hill battle for fishermen to compete with
seals; he was glad to see this initiative starting up by the workshop discussions.
Andrew Newbould (DFO Maritimes Region – Marine Mammals management) noted his
recent involvement in seals (he replaced Jerry Conway), and focus is on management
including his responsibility at DFO for implementing ecosystem-based management.
Isabel Frenette (DFO Gulf Region - fisheries management) noted that she never hears
anything positive about seals.
Abdou Chalabi (DFO Aquaculture Management Directorate, Ottawa) remarked on the
important place of seals in the marine ecosystem and our need to understand the ecosystem
impacts of seals on other marine species, as well as the impact of seal harvests.
Ron Jones (C-FOAM Associate and recent MSc. graduate of Fikret Berkes at the University
of Winnipeg) reported that he sees the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) context
of managing seals. He questioned whether seals should be looked at as “just a
resource”,and wondered what value this resource brings to local coastal communities.
Henri Motte (C-FOAM associate, fisheries consultant, seal market intermediary, and former
journalist) noted his long history of involvement and interest in the seal hunt. He stated that
Europeans are not against sealing but that they have major concerns about how seals are
killed. As Henri states it is not about whether we are allowed to kill seals for a living, but it is
about the way in which seals are killed, he referred to Norway with strict rules for killing and
how Finland built an industry from a harvest of only 600 seals per year. Products include
making paint from seal blubber. He also reported that he is planning a European trip directed
at effecting change in attitudes and policies regarding seals and the Canadian seal hunts at
highest level.
Denis Gauvreau (Biosynergie, Montreal, biotech engineer, Gaspé politician and
entrepreneur, and former university researcher) sees real business opportunities in seal
harvests. In particular, the production of collagen and other new products associated with
seal oil. He noted that there is no substantial leadership in Ottawa on the issue of the seal
hunt. He argued for the development of a business plan to support the promotion and
development of the seal fishery. Denis also pointed out that Canada was first in the OECD in
research and development, but near the bottom in technology transfer to any applied
industry. He believes that there may be possibilities to develop seal products for health and
nutrition niche markets. He also suggested that Canada was not showing up at the EU to
defend the industry or to promote Canadian business, and that the anti-sealing lobby groups
are not telling the truth on the real impacts of overpopulation of seals on the ecology. He
suggested that a through business plan/model should be developed around seal products
(e.g., oils, collagen Omega-3 etc.)
Bruce Hatcher (Director, Bras d‟Or Institute for Ecosystem Research, Cape Breton
University) remarked that he was interested in the workshop discussion and encouraged the
opportunity for Cape Breton to develop the emerging fishery carefully, including studying and
improving our understanding of the seals‟ ecosystem. Bruce supported the idea of a follow-
up workshop in early 2009 possibly in Sydney, Cape Breton on developing a grey seal
industry that would advocate full market use of carcesses.
Dan Lane invited attendees to note that since C-FOAM is located in the Telfer School of
Management, then we are obligated to consider: “How do we create an environment where we
move science towards informing management and developing business strategies related to
effective and efficient seal harvest?” and “What role(s) can C-FOAM and OMRN play in order to
help move this along?”
2
Other Issues were also raised including grey seals as a cod worm vector (it was reported that
costs to Highliner Fine Foods/National Sea Products back in the 1980s for dealing with the cod
worm were in the millions of dollars annually), and that there appeared to be no effective market
for young grey seal fur. So, the difficulty remains as to how we can improve the effectiveness of
our (seal) resources management, and how we could do a better job of developing a seal
industry.
II. Objectives of the workshop (Lane)
The objectives of this workshop are (as noted in PowerPoint presentation #1):
to explore the status, impacts, management and potential use of grey seals as a
resource for Atlantic Canadians, especially those living in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and
along the eastern Scotian Shelf where the population of grey seals has increased
dramatically in recent years.
The workshop is part of an ongoing project at C-FOAM (Canadian Fisheries, Oceans and
Aquaculture Management research cluster) to compile and distribute information on best
practices in fisheries management. C-FOAM members are interested in going beyond
academic rhetoric and public misconceptions to examine how sustainable management of our
marine resources can be improved for the benefit of those living in coastal communities most
impacted by management policy, as well as for the benefit of all Canadians prospering from
effective and efficient management.
The workshop is intended to be informal and structure will be kept to a minimum consistent with
organized discussion. The most important part of the discussion will be contributions by invited
specialists and participants on the specifics of the issues at hand.
III. Status of grey seal population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Scotian
Shelf (Lane)
Dan Lane summarized the current work of Mike Hammill and Gary Stenson and others on
the status of the Grey seal population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the Scotian Shelf.
This paper may be found on the DFO Science website (CSAS 2007/082) by Thomas, Hammill,
and Bowen(2007) and entitled Estimated size of the Norwest Atlantic Grey seal population.
1977-2007. It was reported that a stochastic model was used to fit to data from 20 Grey seal
whelping sites including Sable Island, in the Gulf, and along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia
(ENS). Model assumptions included: fecundity age dependent, constant through time; adults at
age 5 (most female seals are pregnant by 5years of age); constant adult survival rates; density
dependent pup survival; and females can move to new regions to breed beyond defined areal
capacity. The method used to fit the model was a Bayesian computer intensive method (particle
filtering method).
Results included:
(1) little evidence of density dependent population regulation;
3
(2) exponential population growth throughout study period, except in the Gulf, which showed
a small hiccup;
(3) total population size increased from near zero to 250,000 animals on Sable Is, 1300
along ENS coast, and 20,000 to 50,000 seals in the Gulf.
(4) total NW Atlantic population estimated at 304,000 seals (242,000-371,000); this estimate
is 6% higher in 2007 than 2006‟ 2007 estimate is750% higher than the 1977 estimate of
41,000 (31,000-51,000) seals.
(5) average annual (continuous rate) growth, r, is estimated over time as: r = 4% in 1980's ,
9% in 90's, 8% on 2000's.
Thus, as the population has doubled since 1999. There is however, no evidence that the
population of grey seals has reached its carrying capacity.
Grey seal harvest limits are set by „replacement yield‟: replacement yield for grey seals was
estimated at 10,000 grey seals in 2002. In turn this annual yield was set in the 2006-2010
Atlantic seals management plan as the TAC (total allowable catch) of grey seals for 2006 and
2007. In 2008, the grey seals TAC was updated to 12,000 grey seals (as noted in the 2008 Seal
Management Measures on the DFO Seal Facts website). Actual grey seals harvests do not
come close to the „replacement yield‟ TACs. Landings range from 0 seals caught (1993 and
2004) to 580 seals in 2005.
In summary, the grey seal population is large and growing fast with a DFO TAC at 12,000
(2008). This TAC is considered cautious. Actual harvests remain well below this limit. Including
Sable Island, home ot the largest population of grey seals, the TAC for the whole Atlantic is
approximately 24,000-30,000 seals. Today however, hunting is disallowed on Sable Island (TAC
of 54,600 seals). There is an estimated total replacement yield (2007) of 69,000 grey seals.
IV. Grey seals exploitation operations on Hay Island, March 2008 (Newbould)
In 2008, the Hay Island grey seal hunt was approved by the Province of Nova Scotia
under the NS Wilderness Area Protection Act (see also Workshop Materials: “NS Hansard
excerpts re the Hay Island hunt”). The Hay Island hunt was established around strictly controlled
harvesting regulations (see also Workshop Materials: “Excerpts from the NS Report on Hay
Island Grey Seal Harvest in 2008”). Andrew Newbould of DFO Maritimes Region, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Management (FAM) sector reported that the current Atlantic population of grey
seals is estimated at over 300,000 animals. He reported that recent evidence from Sable Island
suggests that the growth rate is slowing. Estimated total carrying capacity for Sable Island is
500,000 grey seals.
He reported that the fishing industry is clamoring for an expanded fishery on grey seals. He
presented a map of breeding sites for grey seals, including the Magdalen Islands, Eastern
Shore of N.S., and Sable Island. Over flight data for Hay Island suggests that the population
may be more like 6,000 than 12,000 animals. It was noted that during the hunt, most pups have
lost their white coat, and only about 50 bulls and 100 adults remain, the rest being pups.
It was reported that the 2008 Hay Island harvest of grey seals was authorized by the Province of
Nova Scotia (see also Workshop Materials: “NS Hansard excerpts re the Hay Island hunt”), and
4
DFO FAM sector licensed it. The current quota for Hay Island is 2500 pups and it was noted
that “quota” was based more on managing public perception than on an idea of maintaining a
particular small, site-specific sub-population. Pre-harvest details and planning were important.
DFO Management established a Conservation Harvest Plan (CHP) specific to Hay Island in
which all professional sealers participating must be named. License conditions were only
available from the Sydney office which set harvest times, locales and methods. There was a
requirement for bleeding under the "three step process for humane killing" (as described later in
the Workshop by Pierre-Yves Daoust). There were 20 licensed sealers (set as the arbitrary cap,
all from Nova Scotia) to engage in the actual hunt which took place on 3 days: February 9, 13
and 21, 2008 on Hay Island. The Hay Island harvest was not to be a “competitive” harvest.
DFO Control and Protection (C&P) officers were on location each day of the harvest and no
violations of the license conditions were reports (see also Workshop Materials: “Excerpts from
the NS Report on Hay Island Grey Seal Harvest in 2008”). There was some confusion
concerning the observation of the hunt because it was to be "on the ice", so observers would
not need permits. However, DFO changed the regulations, so that a permit was required to
observe on land as well.
Total actual harvest of grey seals was: 500, 463, 298 on each of the 3 days of the harvest. It
was reported that this amounted to $27,000 in gross income, with 70% considered to be Grade
1 pelts as $22/pelt. Overall, the harvest was judged to be profitable.
For 2009, it is uncertain if the fishery will be open. It was reported that there are more than 20
sealers interested, and that this could create competition among potential harvesters. Moreover,
Hay Island provides easy access by anti-sealing groups. Also, given the small size of Hay
Island, it is not clear if consideration will be given to minimizing damage to terrestrial flora and
fauna and avian fauna.
Dave Ferguson, who participated as one of the sealers in the 3 days of the Hay Island harvest
agreed with the reportage provided by Andrew Newbould. He also identified some issues that
could be better handled including:
- the use of ATVs (disallowed by the regulations) would have made movement of
carcasses across island more efficient and timely;
- more training of sealers in the 3-step harvest process and animal preparation would
have been helpful; and
- the sealers ran out of seals in only three days because they started the harvest too late.
Dave Ferguson also noted that the Hay Island experiment could benefit from more local
research on Cape Breton resources, and that most research is done elsewhere in Atlantic
Canada. He referred specifically to Bruce Hatcher's research in Cape Breton and the need for
more work of this kind. This included taking advantage of harvests to ask and gather valuable
data on key questions such as “What are the seals actually eating?” (We know they eat lobster,
but how much and which "oily fish"?); “Which seal species has the most impact on fish
species?”; and “Is there significant fish migration between seal areas?” It was suggested that
fishermen be engaged to participate in this research and collect data form their observations
with the help of scientists. Bruce Hatcher noted that this would make it easier for governments
to support research (with key industry participation), and would help with the image problem of
sealing "culls" and the public perception of killing seals for money only.
5
Finally, Dave and Bruce also suggested that the proposed 2009 Sydney meeting should try to
smooth over problems with the Province of Nova Scotia, where the Departments of Economic
Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Natural Resources appear onside of (support) the
grey seal harvests, but face opposition from the N.S. Ministry of Environment.
Dave also felt that Hay Island should be a case study which could lead to expanded harvest
possibilities for example on Sable Island. Bruce Hatcher noted DFO‟s inability to use the
proceeds of "commercial index fisheries" (the Larocque decision of June 23, 2006) to fund
fisheries research, but suggested that they still should collaborate on the "implementation of the
new emerging fisheries policy"(sea cucumbers, whelks, hagfish etc.). Bruce posed the question
of the proportion that fishermen themselves should pay for their own science. Or, alteratively,
involve a third party such as the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), as we
progress into Oceans Act science (ecosystem-based management, food web models, etc.) as a
replacement for the old stock assessment science of the Fisheries Act.
V. Grey Seal Harvest Methods (Daoust)
Pierre-Yves Daoust from AVC gave a detailed presentation to workshop attendees on
animal welfare and the three-step process for seal harvest (Step1. Stunning, Step 2. Checking
and Step 3. Bleeding) that has been studied considerably, and is in practice as the most
humane procedure for seal harvest on the advice of veterinary scientists. It was his opinion that
veterinary scientists, of which he is one, should play a significant role in training of sealers. As
such, he discussed the current state of the theory and practice of humane seal killing. The
veterinary world has taken active participation in ensuring that seals are killed and harvested in
the most humane way possible. Despite the thorough science, it was noted that it is
nevertheless difficult to overcome the deep negative public perception of the seal harvest. A
judgment has to be made (e.g., at the WTO level) on how seal research will continue. This is
required to assure that markets are open - if you will never be able to sell Canadian seal
products, the government will simply not support the industry, regardless of humane/scientific
methods for seal harvesting.
Pierre-Yves advocated training workshops on killing, skinning and ATV use (not a mandate of
DFO) that could be coordinated by the province. He also noted that recommendations for best
practices, rather than hard rules would be more effective for all concerned. He pointed out that it
is necessary to convince sealers that it is worthwhile to make some extra effort in their harvest
methods. He noted that the Province of Québec has been a leader in this regard. He also noted
that he has been very involved in developing tools to help sealers do a better job, e.g., the
development of the 3-step process, and laminated cards to distribute to sealers for their use.
These described the steps as follows:
Step 1. Stunning - induce irreversible loss of consciousness or death (using the hakapik
(seal bat) only for juveniles, or a gun - for adults, 22-250 is best, 22-mag is OK from
<40m).
Step 2. Checking - palpitate the skull; it should be soft, not hard to the touch to indicate a
complete facture of the skull (current law requires a blink reflex check, which is difficult).
Step 3. Bleeding – this step is necessary to kill brain stem, and eliminate possibility of
recovery from the stunning.
6
It was indicated that following the 3-step method is undoubtedly the best way to ensure a
humane killing of the seal. He used several video clips to indicate the proper application of the
3-step method as evidence of humane procedures.
During the course of his presentation, Pierre-Yves also noted “herding” live seals prior to killing
was not good practice and something to which he is opposed on the grounds of both seal well-
being (and a reduction in animal stress) and product quality. He also suggested that competitive
versus cooperative hunting would lead the former to "cut corners" in the harvest process and he
accordingly advised against competitive harvest operations.
VI. Grey seals Markets and Business Planning (Gauvreau)
Denis Gauvreau, in an overview of business plan development and market concerns
asked the group how is the resource going to be used. He strongly suggested that what is
needed is to develop a business plan for seal harvesting. In this way, there needs to be a
distinction between grey and harp seals (a re-occurring public and difficult issue), to avoid
problems in communicating potential value to communities and overcoming polarized views. He
noted that there are risks:
(1) lobby groups/animal welfare opposition to seal harvesting and
(2) the time needed to develop a critical mass that puts together boats, processing
capacity, meat sellers, and marketers.
He also noted that the "collagen people” could serve as benevolent leaders in this. i.e., they
could be brought forward via the "collagen manufacturing unit", they thus buy the raw product
and build platform for marketing collagen. This would require a collective effort around oil,
collagen, fur and meat; how do we mesh these together, via an integrated, whole-animal-use
common marketing approach. Ecological issues and environmental risks, developing new
markets, based on the way you set up a new sector, perhaps based on differential processing
would all need to be circumvented in the preparation of an effective business plan. With respect
to opportunities, demonstrating how “waste” could be used would turn into an industry
advantage. He stated that the business model is what the company could be and asked what a
seal-based company might look like?
Denis also inquired about seal supply and what quotas might be to keep seal conflicts off the
public radar. He wondered if the population of 300,000 grey seals could be considered a “public
resource” and who may have access to this resource with the permission of the regulator, DFO.
He suggested that the infrastructure for a seal industry appears to be available in Canada at a
scale which will out-compete every other seal harvesting country. The question is, are we ready
to act?
Denis then presented the 13 elements (as questions) of an effective Business Plan. These are
the following:
1. What is the Mission of the company?
2. What are the activities of the business, and what do the people employed do?
3. What is the history of the company?
4. What is the industry/business sector in which the company functions?
5. What is the business model? (i.e., Who buys from whom for what price? What are the
7
existing operating margins?)
6. What is the technology platform used in the production of industry outputs?
7. What is the long-term, forward-looking strategic plan, including milestones, investment
and operating timelines (i.e., value creation events)?
8. What are the competitive advantages of operating in this sector?
9. What are the achievements to date?
10. What is the current financial position and financial outlook for the business?
11. How will the cash flow from proceeds be used for until breakeven is attained?
12. How is the company described?
13. What are the strengths, weakness, opportunities and risks/threats to the business (SWOT)?
In his analysis, Denis suggested that this model be applied to the concept of a developing "seal
harvest industry", e.g., for Cape Breton. He noted that there are many positives:
few companies in the business;
diverse and varied product base (diffuse risk), (e.g., natural products: nutriceuticals,
cosmeticeuticals, pharmaceuticals, as well as meat, fur, oil, and aphrodisiacs);
entry into key markets, e.g., anti-aging, whitening, anti-inflammatory, and exo-
polysaccarides are high level products;
infrastructure is in place (sealers, vessels, processors)
resource supply is abundant and increasing
niche markets
He also pointed out several negatives:
product market risk
the anti-sealing lobbying of perceptions & governments
immense opportunity, but difficulties in adequately presenting same to investors, including
government.
VII. Planning and Projected Operations and Markets (Hatcher)
Bruce Hatcher provided an overview on seal ecology, population status and dynamics
and posed questions we need to ask about sealing in protected areas and on small islands. He
also cautioned about defining management units and the justification of any harvest number
given to the public (since it is expected that the public will scrutinize harvest numbers especially
for pups). That is, it should be clear what assumptions and logic underlie these numbers. We
should not pretend that these “numbers” are strictly based on science when public perception
influences what would otherwise be a typical numbers game. He asked if there are any
legitimate concerns by provincial and federal authorities about the impacts on a small area such
as Hay Island of increased foot traffic, blood/nutrient inputs, ATVs etc? What are some of the
behavioral limits. For example, if adults return consistently to Hay Island and pups are killed
after adults leave, for how long could you continually take all the pups and still expect adults to
return? He suggested that number be set to balance societal and natural tradeoffs and that the
process for how quotas are set be transparent.
Bruce Hatcher also asked what motivates seal hunters: a) livelihood diversity” “its all about the
money”; b) risk avoidance and bet hedging: “will get a license and maybe if profitable, will use it
to acquire other assets”, e.g., whelk licenses; c) bloody mindedness: “just kill seals to anger the
8
environmentalists”. It was observed that perhaps some sealers did not respect the seals as a
valuable resource, and therefore might require more training, or peer pressure to make the right
decisions at the hunt. He reported that it was said that a major motivation for sealing was that it
was another way to make a living, but he also acknowledged that Cape Breton fishers were not
as dependent on sealing as other areas in Atlantic Canada such as Newfoundland.
Bruce noted that the discussion about marketing and investment (Denis Gauvreau and
discussants) raises several ideas about the potential innovative uses of seal products. The
question of whether the Federal Government is willing to invest in, and overtly support the
growth of the seal industry through national and international mechanisms was discussed.
There was a suggestion that it could not happen without such support, but there was not a
consensus on the topic. There is a possibility that the industry could develop with private
investment and marketing only, to the extent that the Government would have to recognize its
value and support it. Alternatively, some pessimism was expressed that the Government would
ever be willing to risk overt support, but would rather continue with “pseudo support” and
minimal investment, perhaps covertly encouraging the demise of the industry.
Bruce also presented a short exploration of what a program of research and development for an
emerging Cape Breton Sealing industry might look like (see also Workshop Materials: PDF file
presentation for details). Workshop participants offered excellent suggestions for extending and
focusing the research. Henri Motte claimed that there is not a single question posed in the plan
of research than cannot be answered using data and information already available and
questioned the usefulness of further in-depth research in lieu of action on resource control
through managed harvests.
VIII. Wrap-up, Conclusions, Next steps (All)
The workshop was concluded by a roundtable discussion re the wrap-up and next steps.
These are summarized below.
David Ferguson, speaking as a fisherman, was positive about outcomes and appreciated the
involvement of the university and Cape Breton University in particular in the study of the seal
harvest industry. He sees Hay Island as just a start, and reiterated his view of the need to move
to Sable Island for efficient, profitable, and substantial harvesting activity. He is not convinced
that the Province of Nova Scotia would be “on side” with this expansion. He felt that some
fishermen are open to taking more responsibility for marketing and improving their image as
sealers, and that others could be included via training and further education.
Henri Motte emphasized the urgency of action to influence policy and decisions in both Canada
and the EU. He identified several institutional impediments and looming deadlines, and
admonishes us not to simply do the academic thing of more study and research when the need
now is for informed advocacy and corporate action. He cites many examples of policy and
management in other countries that are both appropriate and relevant to the Canadian situation.
It was agreed to use the outputs of this meeting, and a proposed workshop in Cape Breton
during early April, to shine an objective light on Canada‟s management of its seal industry. It is
felt by some that this may point out the hypocrisy and duplicity of current management policy
9
and practice regarding sealing in Canada. It is felt by few that such actions will effect significant
change, but most agree that there is an obligation to do so. In this, the OMRN and C-FOAM are
seen as vehicles for designing and engaging a program of action, especially since the research
required is NOT primarily in the natural sciences, but rather in the social and management
sciences.
OMRN Case Study on a Grey Seal Industry. Some interesting avenues for research include:
Description of Grey seals as a charismatic marine mammal with intricate major food web and
ecosystem interactions; exploration of the rich social and cultural histories of seal harvesting;
analysis of the potential for economic development and sustenance for coastal communities
(social anthropological aspects); examination of the moral and ethical issues of harvesting
marine mammals; extent of political involvement and interference (local and cross-scale political
partnerships/interactions); critique of the considerable challenges to management.
Research questions include:
What roles to these seals actually play in food webs?
What tropic impacts do they have on the local fish and crustacean stocks?
Do grey seals exhibit meta-population dynamics which could have impacts on fish predation
or fidelity to breeding sites?
What possible impacts may occur to local Cape Breton ecosystems may occur if a seal
harvest industry develops?
Do seals significantly compete with humans?
Is there any traditional/local knowledge available for management?
Will the seal population (without hunting) move towards some drastic population crash?
Do we have a responsibility now to intervene or try and manage a drastically altered
ecosystem and seal populations that are out of control?
Are current seal population numbers merely a segment of long term population boom-bust
cycles? What is the moral argument against sealing?
What are the opportunities to develop a small, local-scale version of the business through
established marketing channels and kept operating as a low level?
How does sealing fit into the overall picture of the sustainability of coastal communities in
Cape Breton?
C-FOAM and the OMRN (through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Working Group) and the
OMRN Network Secretariat could play a leading role in the grey seal industry initiative by
considering the research questions and documenting a case study on the topic. The OMRN
could coordinate and support research proposals. The OMRN also develop a research plan and
promote the information to the European arena.
10
Workshop Recommendations
The following recommendations are provided from the workshop discussion and are directed at
various players in the fisheries system including DFO, the fishing industry, the OMRN and C-
FOAM, and interested participants.
I. Prepare for a 2009 follow-up exploratory Workshop to be held in Sydney; tentative
date: April 2009.
Rationale: The federal government‟s lack of support for a seal harvest industry requires
outside apolitical action; a follow-up workshop in Cape Breton is seen as developing an
opportunity for local coastal communities; encourage the involvement through pan-
departmental invitations to DFAIT, DFO, PMO, and EU Fisheries Ambassador Sullivan to
name a few. C-FOAM and OMRN are committed to organizing, funding, and facilitating the
Workshop as a follow-up to the Ottawa workshop.
Responsible: C-FOAM/OMRN Secretariat; Bruce Hatcher, Cape Breton University;
Dave Ferguson, Robert Courtney (Cape Breton sealers), participants
II. Draft a Business Plan for a Hay Island seal harvest.
Rationale: The Hay Island harvest has been described as a well run and profitable
enterprise. At the same time, it would be significant to develop a clear business model/case
study with marketing considerations for 100% utilization of seal harvests. The Business Plan
for investors to decide what to do next which is a necessary requirement to do "the job" of
developing the seal industry.
Responsible: C-FOAM/OMRN Secretariat; Bruce Hatcher, Cape Breton University;
Denis Gauvreau, Biosynergies, Inc., participants
III. Prepare an OMRN Seal Harvest Case Study and research program based on Hay
Island.
Rationale: OMRN and C-FOAM agrees to assist in the preparation of specific research
projects. The initiative will consider broad funding proposals, e.g., NSERC/SSHRC Strategic
grant for fisheries. Science will be required as part of the research program, but the program will
also include research on the social and management impacts of a seal harvest. Since the
government, via DFO, does not promote sealing, may require more informal local-international
linkages with provincial governments, and local community governing groups. The OMRN could
include these issues in "sustainable coastal communities" discussions as an additional
livelihood option in certain parts of coastal Canada and should be encouraged where it does
serve to diversify livelihoods.
Responsible: C-FOAM/OMRN Secretariat; C-FOAM members; OMRN WG on Fisheries
and Aquaculture; participants
11
Recommendations (continued)
IV. Support training sessions to sealers on the application of the humane 3-step method
for seal harvesting.
Rationale: Training workshops on humane killing, and skinning grey seals are sanctioned by
veterinarians via the 3-step method. It is important that the 3-step method be presented to
sealer harvesters through coordinated provincial and federal governments training programs
as part of the conditions of license to seal harvesters.
Responsible: DFO FAM Sector, Maritimes Region, Andrew Newbould, and Gulf
Region, Isabelle Frenette; AVC-UPEI, Pierre-Yves Daoust; Sealers;
Province of Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
V. Provide information on effective, profitable, and managed Grey seal harvests such as
Hay Island for the use and information of European Union colleagues.
Rationale: Upcoming EU bans on seal products will have a negative effect on the marketing
of Grey seal products and the valuable prosecution of the seal harvest. The workshop
supports the clarification on the EU seal policy.
Responsible: Henri Motte (and pending visit to the EU in December 2008); participants.
(Please also note that Henri‟s EU visit took place recently and that a
report, now being finalized, on his visit will be distributed to participants
shortly.)
Final comments.
The C-FOAM Workshop on Grey seals consisted of a day long discussion among a
diverse and experienced group. The small number of participants led to an informed and lively
discussion. It is also recommended to have more industry and resource users at these
meetings. It is recommended that members of the NGO community also be included in follow-up
meetings. Ultimately, the marketing of seal products will be difficult due to the negative
perception of the seal harvesting process and the prosecution of young animals. It would appear
beneficial to develop a small industry with dispersed centres of harvest throughout Atlantic
Canada, with a few processing plants and established (perhaps informal) market channels.
Ottawa
January 25, 2009
12
APPENDIX
Meeting Materials
C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals:
Toward Well-Managed, Valued, and Sustainable Resource Use
Friday, November 14, 2008
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Desmarais Multidisciplinary Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East
Morning: Room DMS 4170 (4th floor)
Afternoon: Room DMS11-143 (11th floor)
Objectives and Proposed Agenda
The objectives of this workshop are:
to explore the status, impacts, management and potential use of grey
seals as a resource for Atlantic Canadians, especially those living in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the eastern Scotian Shelf where the
population of grey seals has increased dramatically in recent years.
The workshop is part of an ongoing project at C-FOAM (Canadian Fisheries, Oceans
and Aquaculture Management research cluster) to compile and distribute information on
best practices in fisheries management. C-FOAM members are interested in going
beyond academic rhetoric and public misconceptions to examine how sustainable
management of our marine resources can be improved for the benefit of those living in
coastal communities most impacted by management policy, as well as for the benefit of
all Canadians prospering from effective and efficient management.
The workshop is intended to be informal and structure will be kept to a minimum
consistent with organized discussion. The most important part of the discussion will be
contributions by invited specialists and participants on the specifics of the issues at
hand.
Refreshments will be provided and a light lunch will be catered for all participants.
Participants who may be unable to attend the entire day’s meetings are encouraged to
attend as they are able.
13
C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals:
Toward Well-Managed, Valued, and Sustainable Resource Use
Friday, November 14, 2008
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Desmarais Multidisciplinary Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East
Morning: Room DMS 4170 (4th floor)
Afternoon: Room DMS11-143 (11th floor)
Chair: Dan Lane
Morning DMS4170 (9am-Noon)
0900-0915 Welcome (DL) and Roundtable (All)
0915-0930 Objectives of the workshop (DL)
0930-1015 Status of grey seal population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Scotian
Shelf (TBD)
Health Break
1030-1115 The impact of Grey seals on the local ecosystem (TBD)
1115-1200 Grey seals exploitation operations on Hay Island, March 2008 (AN)
Afternoon DMS11-143 (Noon-5pm)
Lunch
1300-1430 Markets and products toward 100% utilization of grey seals (DG)
Health Break
1500-1600 2009 Projected Fisheries Operations, Management, and Markets (All)
1600-1630 Wrap-up, Conclusions, Next steps
14
November 6, 2008
Invitee
C-FOAM Members
Telfer School of Management,
University of Ottawa
Dear Invitee,
RE: 1-Day C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals
Friday, November 14, 2008
It my pleasure to invite you to a special C-FOAM workshop on the topic of grey seals to
be held at the Demarais Building, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, 55
Laurier Avenue East in Ottawa on Friday, November 14 from 9am to 4:30pm.
This workshop will examine the status of grey seal in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the
Scotian Shelf, grey seals’ impact on the local ecosystem, grey seals exploitation operations in
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and developing markets and products toward 100% utilization of grey
seals. An agenda for the workshop is attached to this letter of invitation.
As you may recall, C-FOAM members have expressed interest in holding workshops on
seals in past meetings. The C-FOAM grey seals workshop in Ottawa is considered as a
preliminary discussion on this topic in anticipation of follow-up meetings to be held in Cape
Breton in early 2009. These discussions are in aid of a well-managed, valued, and sustainable
harvest of this resource. The Ottawa workshop is also sponsored in part by the Fisheries and
Aquaculture Working Group of the Ocean Management Research Network (OMRN,
www.OMRN-RRGO.ca), Working Group Leader and C-FOAM Associate, Dr. Scott Parsons.
I look forward to you participation and valued contribution to this discussion.
Sincerely,
Dan Lane, Director – C-FOAM
Enc. C-FOAM Grey Seal Workshop Agenda
15
C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals:
Toward Well-Managed, Valued, and Sustainable Resource Use
Friday, November 14, 2008
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Desmarais Multidisciplinary Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East
Morning: Room DMS 4170 (4th floor)
Afternoon: Room DMS11-143 (11th floor)
Meeting Materials and References
Item Title Description/Title Source
1 Agenda C-FOAM Workshop on Grey See above attached
Seals: Toward Well-Managed,
Valued and Sustainable
Resource Use; November 14,
2008 University of Ottawa
2 Daoust, Crook, Bollinger, Animal welfare and the harp Special Report, Canadian
Campbell, and Wong 2002 seal hunt in Atlantic Canada Veterinary Journal, 43.
September, 687-694
http://www.pubmedcentra
l.nih.gov/tocrender.fcgi?ii
d=10055
3 NS Hansard Excerpt from the NS House of www.gov.ns.ca/legislatur
Assembly on the discussion e/hansard/comm/r/re-
and passage of the Hay Island 2006apr18.htm ;
Grey Seal Harvest for 2008; (i)
April 18, 2006 - debate; (ii) www.gov.ns.ca/legislatur
December 12, 2007 – e/HOUSE_BUSINESS/ha
resolution adoption nsard.html
4 NS Report on Hay Island Excerpts from the NS Report Cyril Boudreau, Province
2008Grey Seal Harvest on Hay Island Grey Seal of NS, November 24,
Harvest in 2008 2008
5 Globe & Mail Article, July “N.S. Minister‟s response to www.theglobeandmail.co
24, 2008 prposed EU seal product ban: m/servlet/story/RTGAM.2
kill more seals” 0080724.wseals00724/B
NStory/National/#
6 Hammill and Stenson 2007 Application of the precautionary ICES Journal of Marine
approach and conservation Science, 64:702-706
reference points to (Short communication)
management of Atlantic seals
7 Thomas, Hammill and Description of the Northwest CSAS Research
Bowen 2007 Atlantic Grey Seal Population, Document, 2007/082.
1977-2007, 31 pages http://www.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/csas/Csas/Pu
blications/ResDocs-
DocRech/2007/2007_082
_e.htm
16
8 Province of NS News “Limited Gret Seal harvest on www.gov.ns.ca/news/det
Release Hay Island”, Fisheries and ails.asp?id=20080208006
Aquaculture, February 8, 2008
9 DFO Website – Seal Facts Socioeconomic Importance of www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-
the Seal Hunt phoque/reports-
rapports/facts-faits/facts-
faitsSE-e.htm
10 Atlantic Seal Hunt Seal and Sealing in Canada; 4. http://www.dfo-
Management Plan 2006- Market Outlook; mpo.gc.ca/seal-
2010 phoque/reports-
rapports/mgtplan-
plangest0610/mgtplan-
plangest0610_e.htm
11 DFO Website - Facts Seal Management Measures to www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-
About Seals Economy and Community phoque/reports-
rapports/facts-faits/facts-
faits2008-e.htm
12 2005 Seal Forum Record of proceedings of the Available in PDF format:
Proceedings Seal Forum held at the Delta http://www.dfo-
Hotel in St. John‟s, mpo.gc.ca/seal-
Newfoundland & Labrador, on phoque/reports-
November 7th and 8th, 2005. rapports/2005-
forum/2005-forum_e.htm
13 Precautionary Harvest DFO, 2006. A Harvest Strategy Canadian Science
Strategy Compliant with the Advisory Secretariat
Precautionary Approach. Science Advisory Report
2006/023
14 Grey Seal Conservation Hay Island Grey Seal Hunt, http://www.greyseal.net/ ;
Society 2008 (sacrilege at Main-à-Dieu, http://www.fisherycrisis.c
Cape Breton) by Debbie om/seals/Hay%20Island
MacKenzie %20grey%20seal%20hun
t%202008.htm
15 C-FOAM Invitation letter Letter sent by D. Lane to See above attached
industry, academic, and
government members
16 Workshop Presentations 1. Workshop Objectives and PowerPoint presentations
Background (Lane) available under separate
2. Status of Grey Seals (Lane) cover; other
3. Hay Island Grey Seals presentations were made
(Newbould) verbally to the workshop
4. Harvest methods analysis and are recorded in the
(Pierre-Yves Daoust) workshop report provided
5. Cape Breton Seal Futures above
(is there a future for sealing?)
(Hatcher)
17
C-FOAM Workshop on Grey Seals:
Toward Well-Managed, Valued, and Sustainable Resource Use
Friday, November 14, 2008
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Desmarais Multidisciplinary Building, 55 Laurier Avenue East
Morning: Room DMS 4170 (4th floor)
Afternoon: Room DMS11-143 (11th floor)
Participants List
No. Name Affliation Email Address
1 Bruce Department of Biology, Cape Breton hatcher@cbu.ca
Hatcher University, Sydney, N.S.
2 Dave Lobster fisherman, LFA 27 Advisory Ferguson_26@hotmail.com
Ferguson Board, MFU Local, Sydney, N.S.
3 Denis AVIRAN Bio-technologies, Inc., biosynergies@sympatico.ca
Gauvreau Montréal
4 Andrew FAM, DFO Maritimes Region newboulda@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Newbould
5 Pierre-Yves Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, daoust@upei.ca
Daoust Charlottetown, PEI
6 Isabelle Marine Mammals, Gulf Region, DFO isabelle.frenette@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Frenette Moncton
7 Abdou FAM – Aquaculture Management abdelhafid.chalabi@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Chalabi Directorate (AMD), DFO Ottawa
8 Sandra Clark OMRN Coordinator, University of clarks@telfer.uottawa.ca
Ottawa
9 Yanlai Zhao C-FOAM Research Associate, zhaoyanlai@yahoo.co.jp
University of Ottawa
10 Henri Motte C-FOAM Member enremote@gmail.com
11 Ron Jones C-FOAM Member rwjones1@hotmail.com
12 Yacouba C-FOAM Member, Faculty of Law, ycisse@uottawa.ca
Cissé University of Ottawa
13 Dan Lane C-FOAM Director, OMRN Chair, dlane@uottawa.ca
Telfer School of Management,
University of Ottawa
18