Sealers enjoying record prices for pelts are keen to hunt the remaining seal quota after the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans suspended the hunt on Friday.

The price for a seal pelt soared to $105 on Tuesday, more than double the average price paid last year.

The price for seal pelts reached $105 each on Tuesday. (CBC)

Federal fisheries officials say there still may be up to 40,000 seals remaining in this year's quota.

Smaller boats will be allowed to resume hunting on Saturday for one day only, but vessels measuring more than 10.7 metres (35 feet) are still waiting for permission to take more seals.

Eldred Woodford, who is president of the Canadian Sealers Association and operates a larger vessel, said fishermen like him also need access to the remaining quota.

"Before we went sealing, there was talk of seal pelts in the vicinity of $70 and right now they're going in excess of $100," Woodford said.

"With regards to the over 35-foot fleet, that's got several thousand of seals left in the water – you're talking approximately a million dollars worth of seals."

Woodford said he expects to hear sometime on Wednesday whether the federal fisheries department will allow larger boats to resume the hunt.