IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR COMMERCIAL SEALERS

Mandatory Workshops Continue in September-October 2016

Humane Harvesting (beginning 9:00am at all locations)

In 2014, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced that Humane Harvesting training on the three-step process will be mandatory for all commercial Seal Licence holders.  Commercial sealers who do not complete this mandatory Humane Harvesting training, and renew their commercial Seal Licence by November 30, 2016, will not be eligible to renew their commercial Seal licence.

If you have already attended the Humane Harvesting workshop, please renew your commercial seal licence before the November 30 deadline.

The Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board, in partnership with DFO, will be delivering Humane Harvesting workshops throughout the province from September 26 to October 6 – see schedule below.   

Quality/Health/Handling (beginning 11:00am at all locations)

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) has a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure a quality assurance and training program acceptable to CFIA for export certification of seal meat and oil products.  Additionally, seal processors in Newfoundland and Labrador have confirmed that they will only purchase seal products from commercial sealers who have completed training in both Humane Harvesting and Quality/Health/Handling.

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

Commercial sealers who have not yet attended a Quality, Health and Handling workshop delivered by DFA are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming workshops.    

WEEK 1 – September 26-30, 2016

Monday September 26  –  Hawkes Bay       Torrent River Inn

Tuesday September 27   –  Baie Verte              Baie Vista Inn

Wednesday September 28  –  Gander                 Albatross Hotel

Thursday September 29  –  Virgin Arm            Lion’s Club

Thursday September 29  –   Mary’s Harbour   River Lodge Hotel

Friday September 30   –   St. John’s        Ramada Inn

Week 2 – October 3-6, 2016

Monday October 3  –   St. Anthony    Lions Club

Tuesday October 4  –  Deer Lake     Deer Lake Motel

Wednesday October 5  –   Grand Falls   Mount Peyton Hotel

Thursday October 6   –   Clarenville       Clarenville Inn

Thursday October 6   –   Goose Bay     Hotel North Two

*Pre-registration is not required.  Sessions are “walk-in” and open to all commercial sealers.

*Humane Harvesting workshops begin at 9:00am and Quality, Health and Handling workshops follow at 11:00am.