Clyde River (Jan 08/07) - While sealskin prices dropped slightly at the latest auction, some Nunavut harvesters still feel they are better off than just a few years ago.

James Qillaq, a part-time seal hunter and chairperson for the Clyde River Hunters and Trappers Association, said prices for sealskins this year are still very positive.

Sealskins from Nunavut were lined up at the auction house in Ontario awaiting sale. - photo courtesy of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation

"The prices seem to be fair to me," he said.

Fur Harvesters Auction Inc., in North Bay Ont., held the auction last month and the average price paid was $69.33. That was a little off $72.65 a year earlier.

The top selling pelt went for $121.29 this year.

"If the prices stay this way, it could be much better for hunters in years to come," said Qillaq. Three years ago, the average price of a Nunavut sealskin was just $44.65.

Prices may have dropped slightly but the number of skins sold was up 12 per cent compared to last years auction, said Jim Gibb of Fur Harvesters Auction.

Of the 6,224 Nunavut hair sealskins offered at the sale, 96 per cent was sold compared to 84 per cent at the previous auction, he said.

"This shows the market is really strong, people are buying all the skins," he said.

There was initial concern sales numbers could drop dramatically due to a European sealing backlash, but it didn't happen, said Gibb.

"We were concerned, but we are really surprised at the depth of the market," he said.

Bidders from Denmark and Canada bought the majority of the skins, he said.

The number of sealskins purchased may have been higher if 1,800 additional pelts from Nunavut had arrived in North Bay a few days earlier, said Gibb.

The skins ended up getting flown from Nunavut to Winnipeg and had to be trucked to North Bay. They didn't arrive in time to be part of the auction, he said.

Some of those misplaced skins will hopefully be available at the next auction, said Wayne Lynch, director of sealing and fisheries with Nunavut's Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

Overall, Nunavut products held their own at the auction and "hunters will be glad all their products sold," he said.

The number of skins purchased by Nunavut-based companies is also on the rise and two bidders from the territory were on hand, he said. Businesses in territory are buying more pelts for seamstresses to work with, he said.

Wildlife officers offered between $30-$65 for each skin during the last season, but they could also get a second payment for each skin they sold, said Lynch.

Last year, hunters got back up to $5 because prices were so high, he said adding a decision has yet to be made about the most recent harvest.

Hunters are free to sell their skins to anyone who inquires, he added.

"Sealskins still represent an alternative to a wage economy," said Lynch.