Terms of Reference

Training for sealers on visual assessments of the general health of live seals during the harvest

Zonal Peer Review - Newfoundland & Labrador, Maritimes, Gulf, Quebec, and Central & Arctic regions

January 31, 2013
Teleconference

Chairperson: Don Bowen

Context

The Canadian Fish Inspection Act and Regulations prohibit the export (including production of products for export) of fish (includes marine mammals) that are tainted, decomposed or unwholesome.  Seals that are unhealthy and that present a food safety risk to consumers are considered unwholesome.  Therefore, any person involved in the harvest and further processing of seal products is required to apply preventative controls to ensure that edible seal products meet Canadian food safety standards, and are acceptable for human consumption.

Inspection of seal carcasses at sea for the purpose of harvesting products for human consumption involves a number of unique challenges as compared to that of domestic animals or even terrestrial wildlife. These challenges make it particularly important for harvesters and processors to ensure that food safety preventative controls are consistently applied to all seal carcasses brought onboard vessels.  There is limited opportunity to assess live seals in the field during harvest against food safety criteria. However, the sealer must try to do this to the best of their ability and avoid harvesting animals that are unacceptable for producing edible products.

Objectives

The objective of this Science Special Response Process is to review and, if necessary, modify a document that is to be used to provide training to the sealing industry to visually assess the health of live seals and carcasses at the time of harvest such that only seals suitable for the production of edible products are selected for further processing.

Expected Publications

• One working paper will be reviewed and one Science Response will be generated. 

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO; Ecosystems and Ocean Science, International Affairs Directorate)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Academia or Academics