DFO advises that during the 2026 seal harvest, there will be an opportunity to participate in a Personal Use Seal Fishery Educational Observer Pilot. The intent of this pilot project is to allow knowledge transfer within the personal use seal harvest. Anyone ages 12 and older can apply for an educational observer licence, including current commercial sealers who wish to observe a personal use harvest.

  • DFO is launching the Personal Use Seal Fishery Educational Observer Pilot during the 2026 seal harvest, allowing individuals aged 12+ to learn about the personal use seal harvest through supervised on‑water experience.
  • This pilot is being introduced in response to harvesters identifying the need to transfer harvester knowledge to youth and new personal use sealers.
  • The pilot permits youth and commercial sealers to observe personal use harvesters.
  • DFO has updated the humane harvesting training course to outline the responsibilities of both educational observers and personal use licence holders.
  • Individuals must complete the humane harvesting course to apply for an observer licence; personal use licence holders bringing observers must contact DFO for pilot details before going on the water.
  • The pilot will begin with the reopening of the Newfoundland and Labrador seal harvest in early April, applies to NL sealing areas 5–12, and may be extended into 2027.
    Also note:
  • There is no distancing limitation for the observer.
  • A personal use seal licence holder may take up to 3 observers on a trip.
  • Personal use seal licence holders and observers are required to take the Personal Use Seal Humane Harvesting course offered through DFO – this is separate from the PFHCB which trains commercial applicants; if a licence holder has already completed the course, they can contact DFO to gain information on the observer pilot without having to repeat the course. DFO will record this.
  • The personal use seal licence holder accompanying the observer will be noted in the observer licence.
  • When an observer joins a harvest, they must inform DFO via email.
  • Observers cannot carry out the 3-step humane harvesting process, only the licensed harvester can physically carry out these steps.

Anyone interested in applying for an educational observer licence is required to complete a humane harvesting course for personal use seal offered through DFO.

For further information email: DFO.SealHumaneHarvestingNL-PhoqueslachassesanscruateTNL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca