New York  - Shrinking demand for furs is translating into a loss of income for Canada's seal hunters.

They can expect to be paid 15 to 30 Canadian dollars (12 to 24 US dollars) per pelt, compared with a price of 100 dollars two years ago, leading many hunters to consider whether it was worth it to head out onto the pack ice in the traditional seal hunt at the end of winter in eastern Canada, Canadian media reported.

At the same time, the fur industry warned that it would not be able to take all the pelts, even at the lowest prices, and advised hunters to only go on the ice if they have firm commitments from fur buyers.

The slump in the fur market has been caused by the world economic downturn and an expected ban by the European Parliament on all seal products, Deon Dakins - manager of Nutan Furs, which buys seal pelts - told the broadcaster CBC.

The Ottawa-based International Fund for Animal Welfare, an animal-protection organization, welcomed the development.

"Of course, we are pleased," fund researcher Sheryl Fink said in a statement issued Wednesday night. "If market conditions ultimately lead to the demise of this inhumane slaughter, that's fine by us."

She said that scores of licensed seal hunters planned not to take part in the hunt in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, west of Newfoundland.

The Fisheries and Oceans Ministry opened the hunt in that area Wednesday, allowing 64,000 young seals to be killed. A total of 280,000 seals may be killed this year in Canada. (dpa)