Business related to fisheries and sealing focuses on developing viable and sustainable sectors that will ensure that all revenues and opportunities derived from the territorial resources benefit Nunavummiut. Through the development and implementation of the Nunavut Sealing Strategy, the Nunavut Fishing Strategy and providing support to the fur sector, fisheries and sealing programs works towards maximizing economic opportunities for Nunavummiut within the principles of conservation and sustainability.

For more information, contact:

Wayne Lynch
Director
Phone: (867) 975-7821
Fax: (867) 975-7739
Email: wlynch@gov.nu.ca

Documents:

Fisheries Development & Diversification Program
The Fishing Industry
Map

Objectives:

• Encourage and support a viable and sustainable fishery and fur sector, in cooperation with key stakeholders.

• Promote a clear understanding of fisheries development potential in Nunavut through community education and awareness.

• Represent Nunavut’s interests at major federal, provincial, territorial meetings to ensure fair and equitable treatment with the rest of Canada.

Programs

Fisheries and Sealing Industry Development

This program fosters growth in Nunavut’s fisheries sector through research, information on investment potential, liaison with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on fishery issues facing the territory, providing information to communities, profiling the sealing industry to Canada and the international community as well as training, and sector development. The Fisheries Development and Diversification fund provides a strategic investment of funds into an expanding area of Nunavut’s economy. The purpose of this program is to support the development of Nunavut’s emerging fishing industry.

Commercial Fisheries Freight Subsidy

Subsidizes the transportation of fish to allow Nunavut fisheries to be competitive in southern markets.

Fur Pricing Program

The Fur Price program is a service the government provides to assist harvesters with selling their furs for competitive prices and provides quick upfront payments for their skins. The sealskin purchase component, now the largest component of this program, was introduced to help revitalize sealing in Nunavut, and to put cash in the hands of harvesters following market collapse in the early 1980’s. The program also encourages the full use of skins, surplus to household use, available from the traditional food hunt.