Nunavut hunters, artists pleased with EU seal hunt exemption

After a six-year ban, Nunavut hunters can once again sell sealskins on the European market.

The Nunavut government says this should help make hunting more affordable, and seal meat more accessible.

But not everyone is on board with the plan.

Gil Thriault, the director of the Magdalen Island Seal Hunters Association, says it would take decades to reconquer European markets.

"The Europeans have made it clear politically and publicly that they don`t want seal products ...what's the point?" he said.

He says the costs for marketing and lobbying to European countries will cost taxpayers million of dollars for nothing.

On the other hand, Thriault saysthedemand for seal products in Asia is skyrocketing, and that those markets should be the focus.

"They're crazy about it," he said. "South Korea, Japan, China ... China is hugely interested but what's holding things up is politics."

Thriault says targeting Europe might make political sense to the federal government, but that it's a bad business decision.

He says he hopes governmentwill start focusing on developing more economic ties with Asian countries.

Artists, hunters supportive

Nunavummiut hunters and artists, however, are pleased with the news. They're hoping this will mean increased demand for their products.

"I believe it's going to help us a lotbecause we'll be able to sell our sealskin more easily,"saidMona Netser, an artist living in Iqaluit.

"If there's more demand for me, I'm happy."