STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOSThat’s the analogy Dion Dakins uses to describe the work that lies ahead to rebuild the sealing industry in Atlantic Canada., a company in Newfoundland and Labrador that produces health supplements from seal oil, along with food and textiles.
“That’s something that we’ve never seen before,” said Dakins, noting the report of the Atlantic Seal Science Task Team concluded that the understanding of the impact of seals on fish stocks is “woefully inadequate. The department said projects may include, or focus specifically, on a better understanding of the role of seals in the ecosystem.The deadline to submit proposals is Jan. 8.
He said he didn’t expect the summit to tackle the marketing issue, and he didn’t expect any promises from Murray on that point.Still, he said, efforts have to continue to help Canadian companies develop new markets for seal products, or even regain traditional markets. Better science about seals, and predation by seals on fish, could help change that narrative, Chaisson said.
“We didn’t necessarily think we were going to see that going into this summit,” he said. “The ability of the industry to partner with DFO and provide some arms’ length science on seals … is an important step in the right direction.”“Our hopes are now that will implement the nine recommendations of the ASSTT report and form a seal forum, which will be hosted annually,” said Dakins.“We saw how productive this day and a half was this year.