The role of certifications and traceability in supporting the Inuit seal harvest to deliver Inuit rights to food, culture, and economic opportunities

Inuit have the right to food, culture, and economic opportunities, and the seal harvest can help to support these rights. However, resultant international bans from anti-sealing campaigns have undermined the Inuit economy and imposed hardships on Inuit communities. In an effort to improve market access for Inuit seal products, the Canadian Government established the Certification and Market Access Program for Seals (CMAPS), which is creating certification and tracking systems for Inuit seal products in EU markets. CMAPS will improve existing tracking systems for Inuit seal products and explore the role of certifications, namely the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Fair Trade, in improving market access for Inuit seal products and subsequently supporting Inuit rights to food, culture, and economic opportunities. This research project will collaborate with Nexus Coastal Resource Management to better inform CMAPS and the Government of Nunavut on best measures for creating certification and tracking systems for Inuit seal products in EU markets.

Faculty Supervisor:

Megan Bailey

Student:

Sara Vanderkaden

Partner:

Nexus Coastal Resource Management

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: