N.W.T. government to pay more for seal skins

The Government of the Northwest Territories is increasing the price it pays for seal skins.

Beginning next season, the government will pay harvesters $70 per skin, an increase of $15.

David Ramsay, the minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment says in a news release that the price increase is an effort to stimulate the supply of seal skins.

The price increase is part of the government's Hide Procurement Program, which is supposed to offset the ban imposed on seal skin imports by the European Union and protect the territory's traditional economy, especially in Beaufort communities.

The program provides a guaranteed advance to harvesters for seal skins.

The skins are sent south to be tanned and dyed.

Once they're processed, the skins are sold to artists at cost.