Seal Hunting Rights Return
Written by Rose Aday, Communications Coordinator
The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (YG) and Maa-nulth treaty nations were recently granted permission to hunt harbour seals and sea lions for the first time since they became a protected species under Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). YG is currently allocated 85 harbour seals and 25 sea lions.
The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (YG) and Maa-nulth treaty nations were recently granted permission to hunt harbour seals and sea lions for the first time since they became a protected species under Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). YG is currently allocated 85 harbour seals and 25 sea lions.
The Culture, Language and Heritage Department, in tandem with the Lands and Resources Department, are working closely with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ elders to ensure that the serious act of taking an animal’s life to provide for the community, is done in the right way.
Once the allocation was granted, a seal hunt was conducted, resulting in the harvest of one harbour seal. The seal meat and fat has been sent to a lab in Sidney, BC, to be tested for toxicity. If the seal meat is deemed safe to consume, a community feast will be held for citizens to try the traditional food.
Citizens who are interested in hunting seals, or other allocated species, must have a valid Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Harvest Card issued by the Lands and Resources Department.
Visit ufn.ca > Harvesting tab, to find information on harvesting, including how to obtain a Harvest Card and regulations.
In addition to a Harvest Card, citizens who were under the age of 19 when the Maa-nulth Treaty was signed, Monday, April 1, 2011, and would like to take part in traditional harvesting, must have a hunting license and take the BC Wildlife Federation’s Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education Program (CORE) course.
The CORE course can be taken online, however, testing must be done in person. The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government will cover course costs for citizens to become certified.
Proper reporting after harvesting is vital to ensure that all Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ continue to be able to hunt traditional resources and encourage the opportunity to responsibly hunt other species that are currently restricted in the future.
Further information about seal hunting and cultural practices is coming in a future issue.
For all other information pertaining to Harvest Cards, harvesting rights, information on CORE (and PAL) programs, please contact Jonquil.Crosby@ufn.ca.
