Mandatory Humane Harvesting Training for the Commercial Seal Fishery

DFO reminds all Commercial Seal licence holders that Humane Harvesting Training on the three-step process is mandatory for all Commercial Seal licence holders.

In order to renew a Sealing licence for the 2016 Seal harvesting season, all Sealers must have renewed their 2015 licence and also must have successfully completed the mandatory Humane Harvesting Training on the three-step process. No pre-registration required.

If you have successfully participated in a Humane Harvesting Training Session recognized by the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board (PFHCB), and can provide proof of this training, then you meet the mandatory training requirement. If you have not already taken the training, the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board will be delivering the Humane Harvesting training at twelve (12) workshops throughout the province during the week of 16 to 20 November 2015.

Training sessions will be delivered in the following locations, commencing at 9:00 am daily:

St. Anthony     Tuesday, November 17th   Fire Hall

Plum Point    Wednesday, November 18th         Plum Point Motel

Cow Head        Thursday, November 19th          Shallow Bay Motel

Deer Lake       Monday, November 16th   Holiday Inn Express

Baie Verte      Tuesday, November 17th  Baie Vista Inn

Gander          Wednesday, November 18th        Gander Hotel

Grand Falls-Windsor     Thursday, November 19th  Mount Peyton Hotel

St. John’s        Wednesday, November 18th        Ramada Inn

Clarenville      Thursday, November 19th         Clarenville Inn

Twillingate     Friday, November 20th           Lion’s Club

Port Hope Simpson        Wednesday, November 18th        Alexis Hotel

L’Anse au Loup      Thursday, November 19th         Harbour Authority Building

Any questions on this training can be directed to Fisheries and Oceans  Canada at the following email address: SealHumaneHarvestingNL@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

It is important to note that if Commercial Sealers do not complete the mandatory Humane Harvesting training and renew their 2015 Commercial Sealing licence by 31 December 2015, their Commercial Seal Licence will not be eligible for renewal in 2016.