How important is sealing to Canadas economy?
At the national level, the economic contribution of sealing is small, yet it represents a significant source of income for over 6,000 individuals and their families in remote coastal communities in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, at a time of year when employment opportunities are extremely limited. In some communities over 25% of households take part in the hunt, and among those people the hunt can account for 25-35% of their annual income. In 2006, the hunt ranked fifth in landed value among all seafoods, worth approximately $30 million. This contributed approximately $55 million to the provincial economy. Exports of pelts in 2006 were valued at $16,395,000, while exports of meat and oil were valued at $1,588,000. Click here for more details.
At the national level, the economic contribution of sealing is small, yet it represents a significant source of income for over 6,000 individuals and their families in remote coastal communities at a time of year when employment opportunities are extremely limited. In some communities over 25% of households take part in the hunt, and among those people the hunt can account for 25-35% of their annual income. Between 2006-2008, sealing activity yielded $53 million (CAD) in direct “landed value” to sealers based in the provinces of Quebec (QC) and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The total value during this period to the economies of QC and NL in product production and trade was over $120 million. Exports of pelts in 2006 were valued at $16,395,000, while exports of meat and oil were valued at $1,588,000.
