Harp Seal and Hooded Seal competitive fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Gulf and Maritimes Regions

Species and Area

Harp Seal and Hooded Seal competitive fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Gulf and Maritimes Regions.

Dates of season (subject to change)

The 2013 season start dates for sealing fleets will be determined through consultation with fleet representatives. For more information, refer to your local DFO Area Office.

Total Allowable Catches and Sharing Arrangements

The Hooded Seal DFO for 2013 is rolled over from 2012. The total DFO is 8200.

The Total Allowable Catch for Harp Seals for the 2013 season has been set at 400,000.  This includes a 20,000 developmental quota for commercial fleets.

New Management Measures

Mandatory training on the three-step process

In 2009, the Government of Canada strengthened the Marine Mammal Regulations to formalize already well-established humane harvesting practices. Regulatory amendments articulate a prescribed three-step process that is in keeping with international scientific standards and provides for a safe and humane harvest.

All seal harvesters will be required to complete the mandatory training on the three-step process, which includes striking, checking and bleeding, in advance of the 2014 seal harvest.

Please refer to the Marine Mammal Regulations for details on the three-step process and other related management measures.

Vessel identification

Beginning with the 2014 season, all vessels participating in the seal harvest will be required to have an identification number clearly visible on their vessel. This requirement will: 1) improve safety for seal harvesters participating in the harvest; 2) be consistent with all other fisheries in Atlantic Canada that require vessels to display their identification numbers; 3) improve the ability of enforcement officers to identify and monitor the harvesting activities of individuals vessels; and 4) improve the overall management and control of the fishery.

Section 26 (2) of the Fishery General Regulations provides the criteria for the size and colour of how the vessel identification number will be displayed.

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