Paula White
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 14/98) - A new marketing initiative by the GNWT may mean more money for Northern trappers.

"It's difficult to tell at this point, " said Doug Stewart, director of Wildlife and Fisheries for RWED, "but, we're hoping for a minimum of a 10 per cent increase over last year's price and building on that in future years."

In previous years, the majority of Northern fur was sold through three auction houses in Canada. This year, the territorial government has hired a Montreal marketing firm, L'Heritage, to find alternative buyers by promoting Northern wild fur as a unique product.

Stewart said the reason for the initiative is to "try and improve the value the trappers receive for their fur.

"We've done some consultation (with the trappers) and there is support for it," he said.

Stewart added it will be the trapper's decision whether to sell his fur through auction or the marketing firm.

"We expect the trappers to choose that route," he said, referring to the marketing initiative.

The fur industry has been on the rise for about the past five years. Last year, for example, Northern fur production saw a 54 per cent increase from the year before, generating almost $1.7 million. There were 2,352 trappers as opposed to 1,691 the year before.

The industry may suffer a setback this year, however. According to the general manager of the Fur Harvester's Auction in North Bay, Ont., it's going to be a tough year for fur on the international market. Fred Glover said the poor economic conditions in Russia, which is an extremely large market, has meant a reduction in demand.

"There's not a lot of orders so far," Glover said. "The optimism that you've seen every year isn't there."

Glover said the economic situation in Russia is unfortunate because up until August, all the signs pointed to a good season. He did say there is still a large demand for seal skins, which should make Nunavut trappers happy. Beaver is still popular as well.

Despite the slow start to the season, however, Glover was optimistic.

"As the season progresses things will start picking up," he said. "We've been through this before."

Stewart said each year, RWED pays a minimum guaranteed price for each animal pelt. If the furs sell for a higher price on the market, the trapper is then paid the difference.

This year's prices, which are the same as last year's, are set at $40 per pelt for beaver, $33 for coloured fox and $38 for white, $70 for a marten pelt, $32 for a mink and $3.50 for muskrat. A seal pelt will fetch $30.