November 24, 2017: Report from Arctic Sealing: threat or blue prospect?

NAMMCO, in liaison with the WWF Arctic Programme and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorported, convened a Breakout Session at the Arctic Circle Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland 14 October 2017. The programme – four talks and a panel discussion addressed the questions:

Can (some) populations of Arctic seals qualify as blue resources contributing to food security? Do they represent a sustainable resource with a low ecological cost that meets the dietary needs and food preferences of Arctic communities? Is sealing responsibly managed? Do bans on seal products protect Arctic seals?

With around 120 participants the session was particularly well attended. Participants came from Inuit communities in Alaska, Inuvialuit, Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and Greenland in addition to participants from Canada, several European countries, Iceland, Norway and USA.  Read more..