Thank you very much.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Doug Chiasson and I'm the executive director of the Fur Institute of Canada. The Fur Institute was created by Canada's wildlife ministers in 1983, and we're the national voice for Canada's fur sector.
The institute is also home to the seals and sealing network, a coalition of sealing-related businesses, governments, indigenous organizations and harvester groups from coast to coast to coast.
I'm joined by my colleague, Romy Vaugeois, who is the program manager for the network.
I'd like to thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank all the members of the committee for inviting us here to share our perspective on this very important study. This study is important to me professionally but also personally as someone who grew up in a rural coastal community on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the banks of one of Canada's great Atlantic salmon rivers, the Margaree.
It's no secret that the Canadian seal harvest is currently in a much-reduced state from its heyday. From over 300,000 seals in 2004, in recent years Canadian sealers have harvested less than 30,000 seals each year. Pressure campaigns and weaponized legislatures, influenced by anti-sealing groups, have led to Canadian seal products being banned in previously important markets like the U.S.A., Russia and the European Union.
The seal business has changed significantly since international and Canadian offshore vessels plied Canadian ice and seas for seal skins to supply the fashion houses of Europe. The current offering from Canadian seal harvests is diverse and innovative. There are omega-3 oil supplements for health and athletic performance; gourmet meat preparations; high-end feed, treats and supplements for pets; and, of course, the warm, waterproof, visually striking seal skin garments and accessories we all know and love.
This full utilization not only shows respect to the animal we are taking, but maximizes value for seal harvesters and processors.
Over the last three years, the fur institute has led a national and international branding and marketing campaign for Canadian seal products. CanadianSealProducts.com is a one-stop shop for facts on the Canadian seal harvest and an online shopfront for products from producers across Canada.
Over the past 40 years, there has been much discussion about seal populations, which are increasing. As Fisheries and Oceans Canada moves toward ecosystem-based fisheries management, the role of seal predation is becoming increasingly important and must be considered. Ecosystem-based fisheries management cannot be left—