Canada’s Seal Harvest Begins Today With a High Tide of Optimism

Sealing community joins government and marine conservationists in reassuring Canadians that a healthy harvest is good for the country’s marine ecosystem

OTTAWA, Ontario — Communities across Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec will look to the sea today and see boats of well-trained and licensed sealers set out to kick off the 2026 seal harvest season. Members of Canada’s Seals and Sealing Network, which includes professional sealers, provincial and territorial governments, seal products manufacturers and Indigenous Peoples, are entering the harvest with more optimism than in recent memory.

“We’re not feeling surprised,” says Doug Chiasson, Executive Director of the Seals and Sealing Network. “But many of us are feeling vindicated. We’re happy to see new generations of Canadians who appreciate the value that seal-based products can provide. Thanks in part to them, as well as growing international demand, we look forward to seeing more seal products across Canada.”

Demand for Canadian fur and fur-related products, including seal skins and pelts, is growing both globally and at home in Canada. Recent record results for other fur products at auctions in Helsinki, Finland and North Bay, Ontario have shown a strong demand for products across the spectrum of fur.

“The products that come from our work are of high quality, sustainable, and natural,” says Jen Shears, sealer and owner of Natural Boutique in St. John’s, NL. “And so, we continue our work, year in and year out, undeterred. We know it’s also good for our local communities and plays an important part of a balanced marine environment.”

Fisheries and Oceans Canada unequivocally supports the seal harvest and greater access to seal products at home and around the world. Canada’s abundant harp seal population, estimated at more than 4 million, is a threat to other marine species. In previous years, the seal industry has harvested a mere 10% of historical landings. This year, the industry is confident that the percentage will increase significantly.

“We have a right to harvest seals and, even more importantly, a duty to do what we know is good for a great number of fellow Canadians,” says Chiasson.

Over the past five years, supported by marketing and education efforts from the Seals and Sealing Network, Canada’s small but resilient sealing community has seen a growing interest from fellow Canadians in seal oils, meat and fur as consumers search for made-in-Canada products that are sustainable, practical and durable.

Seal oils, for example, have been proven to be a good source of omega-3, renowned for their impact on cardiovascular health, mental and cognitive health, joint health, and fetal and infant development.

Traditionally used to protect northern and coastal communities from the elements, seal fur and leather are sustainable solutions for function and fashion, and a beloved material among Canadian artisans and designers. They are lightweight, warm, durable, versatile, biodegradable, and resistant to wind and water.

Considered a Canadian ‘superfood’, seal meat is high in protein, iron, and vitamins, and has been proven to increase energy, strengthen muscles, boost immune systems, repair body tissues, and promote red blood cell formation.

“The tide has turned, and we’re honoured to play a part in bringing more of these local and sustainable products to Canadian consumers,” says Shears. “At the end of the day, we know we’re helping to feed, clothe and support our fellow Canadians. It’s certainly worth the effort.”

Deeply rooted in Canada’s working heritage, the spring seal harvest remains a seasonal source of income and cultural identity for coastal and Indigenous communities. It is part of a longstanding tradition of regulated, sustainable use of natural resources, drawing on local and regional knowledge that has shaped the industry over generations.

For more information, visit canadiansealproducts.com.

About the Seals and Sealing Network
The Seals and Sealing Network (SSN) is the national voice of the seal industry. It brings together Canada’s sealing industry harvesters, processors, manufacturers, retailers, relevant government representatives and Indigenous Peoples to promote and market high-quality and sustainable Canadian seal products. A committee of the Fur Institute of Canada, SSN operates Canadian Seal Products and Proudly Indigenous Crafts & Designs brands.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260406436487/en/

Contacts

For media interviews, photos, videos, or additional information, please contact:
Jacob Brunette Savard
jacob@torchiacom.com
438-777-8876

Mary Moniz
mary@torchiacom.com
647-278-0152

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