Wally MacPhee, left, and Mark Prevost, right, co-owners of Bait Masters Inc., are testing out the use of grey seal meat in their alternative lobster and crab bait. Prevost says interest in the product has surpassed any of their other baits. - Dave Stewart/SaltWire NetworkNINE MILE CREEK, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. company that makes alternative, natural bait for lobster and crab fishing is experimenting with a new ingredient – seal.
With a supply of seal meat, Prevost said the company teamed up with UPEI and the Canadian Sealers Association to undergo the risk assessment to ensure there is no chance of spreading pathogens or illness by using the meat. “Knowing that crustaceans are really scavengers, you can imagine there are probably a supply of carcasses of seals for a number of reasons that sink to the bottom where the crabs feed,” he said.
As seals are already harvested for several reasons, such as their oil and meat for human consumption, there is no reason they can’t be used for bait, said Daoust.