The seal huntSealing was once a major economic activity in Canada. Whitecoat and blueback pelts—harvested from harp seal and hooded seal pups respectively —were very much in demand in Europe. The bottom fell out of the market in the late 1970s when environmental groups backed by international celebrities pushed for a ban on this type of hunting, which they viewed as cruel and inhuman. But what are the current facts about sealing in Canada? Commercial sealingAlthough commercial sealing is still carried out in Canada, it has undergone many changes over the years. Sealing activities are managed and monitored by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The killing of whitecoats (harp seal pups less than 14 days old) and bluebacks (hooded seal pups less than 16 months old) has been banned since 1987. There are also bans on the use of boats over 20 m in length and hunting on mating and whelping grounds. Seals can only be hunted from boats less than 20 m in length, from snowmobiles or on foot. There are three Canadian seal export product categories: meat, oil and pelts. Pelts have the highest value on the open market. In 2005, the landed value of pelts—the actual price paid out to sealers—was $16.5 million. The harp seal, the hooded seal and the grey seal are the species targeted by the commercial seal hunt. In 2002, DFO issued 12 000 commercial sealing permits. Most sealers are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Slightly more than 2 000 permits were issued to residents of Quebec. Sealing represents a source of income and food in many small villages that are isolated in winter, where employment opportunities are few. It can also serve as a source of supplementary income for certain seasonal workers, such as fishermen. Subsistence huntingAboriginal peoples have been hunting seals for food, clothing and fuel for centuries. Although present-day sealing still provides food and clothing, it is also an activity that is carried out for social, ritual and economic reasons. Other Canadian communities hunt seals for personal consumption, in a traditional manner and as part of their heritage as they do other game species. Besides harp seals, hooded seals and grey seals, other species targeted by subsistence hunting include ringed seals, bearded seals and harbour seals, which are killed in small numbers. Residents of aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities situated north of the 53˚N latitude do not required permits to hunt seals for subsistence purposes. However, DFO does issue subsistence hunting permits to residents of communities situated south of this limit, along Quebec’s North Shore, in Gaspésie and in the Magdalene Islands. These are areas that have been hard hit by the closing of the ground-fish fishery. A maximum of six seals can be taken for personal consumption under this type of permit. Hunting methodsThe main argument of those opposed to sealing is their belief that the method used to kill the animals is cruel. This belief was likely influenced in large part by images broadcast by the media and anti-sealing groups in the past. Whether in a slaughterhouse or in the wild, it is never pleasant to watch an animal being killed. This is even more true for seals killed on pack ice where the smallest drop of blood stands out in stark contrast against a pure white background. Under the Marine Mammal Regulations, methods used to kill marine mammals must lead to a quick death. Thus seals can only be killed using a large calibre hunting rifle, a club or a hakapik (a type of gaff). According to a report published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, these methods conform to the principles of a cruelty-free hunt. DFO added modifications to the Regulations with respect to hunting methods in light of recommendations made by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. The 2006-2010 management planThis five-year plan establishes the annual sealing quota. Over the next few years this quota could be revised upwards or downwards depending on ice cover, natural seal mortality, by-catch and market conditions. DFO has established distinct quotas by region: 70 percent for western Newfoundland, 20 percent for the Magdalen Islands, 8 percent for the Lower North Shore and 2 percent for the Maritimes. Sealers may also be able to set open season dates on a regional basis. I want to know more |