Skeena MP Andy Burton says a commercial seal hunt on the west coast could create jobs and help save salmon - and he's started lobbying the Department of Fisheries to establish one.
"I believe that a seal hunt on a commercial basis will introduce a badly-needed new economy on the BC coast and will also aid in the revival of healthy returns on salmon and trout," Mr. Burton said in the House of Commons Friday (March 21). "I encourage the minister to seriously consider establishing a commercial seal hunt on the west coast of Canada."
The MP told the Observer that a north coast constituent is behind the drive for a seal hunt. The proponent believes there is a market for seals and that harvesting them would help create employment, including jobs on the Charlottes.
"It's in a fairly preliminary stage at this time," he said, "but there's certainly some movement."