2 000 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and 7 000 off the Nova Scotia Shelf for grey seals, quotas that are identical to 2006. A total of 777 grey seals were taken in 2006.
Young seal pelts
Sealing is authorized from November 15 to May 15 in Atlantic Canada. However, the majority of the harvest takes place in the spring when the hunt for young seals is permitted. The reason for this is that their pelts are more prized on international markets. Young seals can be hunted as soon as they are weaned, independent (able to leave the pack ice and swim on their own) and moult. Harp seals lose their downy, white pelt between 12 and 14 days after birth, while hooded seals lose their “blue back” pelt between the age of 15 and 16 months.
And the future?
While ice conditions are variable from year to year and decade to decade, a trend towards deteriorating conditions has been observe in Eastern Canada. If this were to continue over the long term, it could affect seal populations and future hunting seasons. On the other hand, on the heels of Belgium's recent decision, the European mobilization for a ban on products derived from seals could add to pressure against sealing. [DFO, Yahoo]
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15 mars 2007
The revision that lowers Total Allowable Catches for the 2007 and coming years by 10 to 15 percent and that includes various other recommendations was formulated during the annual meeting of the Atlantic seal consultative committee that took place this past January in Halifax. These recommendations based on the precautionary principle for the sustainable development of populations and taking into account last year's hunting conditions, will be transmitted to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). DFO is about to set quotas, details of implementation and the opening date for the hunt, which will likely be for the end of March.
Quotas for 2006 were set at 325 000 takes of harp seals, for a population that is estimated at nearly six million. The five-year 2006-2010 plan includes the possibility of revising the quota depending on the state of the population, ice cover, market conditions and regional differences. Quotas for 2007 could therefore be lowered to 290 000.
DFO plans on reinforcing sealing controls, especially in the northern Gulf where the TAC was surpassed by 15 000 seals: 22 000 actual catches for a quota of 7000. On the other hand, sealers are requesting that 10 percent of catches that do not occur during the season be added to the quotas of the following season. This procedure, if adopted, would mean that Newfoundland sealers who do not reach their quota for 2006 could obtain higher catches than sealers from other regions in 2007.
As recommended by a group of independent veterinarians, the mandatory training of sealers on the subject of new norms for killing and verification of death was on the agenda. The veterinarians also suggest establishing an individual quota for each boat in order to avoid competition that incites sealers to shorten the amount of time accorded to slaughter procedures.
Several factors render market conditions less favourable than last year; large stocks of unsold pelts remain from the 2006 season and the demand for pelts and other products of the seal hunt is in decline in European and Asian countries. Pelt prices attained record levels in 2006. Imminent European and U.S. boycotts are partially responsible.
Revisions of regulations controlling distances between sealing permit holders and observers was under discussion during the consultative committee meeting. These two groups with diverging interests—regularly in conflict on the pack ice—could be required to remain at a distance of 20 m from each other, instead of the present limit of10 m. [Pêche Impact fév-mars 2007, Le Radar, Radio-Canada]
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8 juin 2006
Polar ecosystems weakened and other species threatened
Global warming, which leads to the melting of the ice cover, represents aggravating circumstances for the survival of the walrus. The reduction of the surface of its habitat favours the concentration of herds. They then become easier to capture by hunters and more vulnerable to predators (polar bears and killer whales). In Arctic regions, the survival of polar bears of concern, while the ivory gull has recently been classified as “endangered”. In Canada, several species of pelagic sharks, including the great white, which has just been designated as “endangered”, are also threatened by excessive fishing. [COSWIC, CTV, Nunatsiaq News].
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23 mars 2006
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has just renewed the Atlantic Seal Management Plan for the next five years and has announced the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2006. The new five-year-plan differs from past plans in that it does not set quotas for coming years. Instead, quotas will be established on an annual basis to adjust to the variability of factors that could influence this traditional hunt, such as ice cover, new environmental conditions linked to global warming and the state of the population.
The opening date for the 2006 seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is set for Saturday, March 25. At 325 000 harp seals, this year's TAC remains relatively unchanged from previous years. An additional allocation of 10 000 seals has been set aside for Aboriginal initiatives and Arctic hunts.
It should be noted that the Canadian government has prohibited the hunting of baby harp seals (white coats) and young hooded seals (blue backs) since 1987.
DFO will pursue surveillance missions at sea, on the docks and on the ice in order to ensure humane hunting practices are respected. [DFO, Radio-Canada]
9 mars 2006
Within weeks of the start of the seal hunt on the ice pack in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, ice conditions are raising concerns. In fact, for several years now there has been a trend towards diminishing ice surface and thickness due to warmer water and climate modifications in the St. Lawrence. The fragile and unstable pack-ice platform could disrupt harp seal and hooded seal pupping and nursing and lead to unusual mortality. After several weeks of uncertainty—with some pups coming into the world on land—pupping appears to now be taking place normally thanks to a recent cold period at the end of the 2006 winter. It remains to be seen whether the pack ice will be solid enough for hunters to move about either on foot or snowmobile.
This year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada must renew its seal hunt management plan, including quotas for the 2006 season. The plan will likely take into account recent ice conditions and their potential impact on the seal populations that depend on them.
The annual seal hunt stirs up the fervour of its opponents—who see in it a cruel and barbarous act—as much that of the hunters for whom it represents a major activity essential to their survival. To learn more about this debate, we invite you to consult our Web page that deals with the seal hunt or the other sources listed below. [DFO, Radio-Canada, CBC.ca]
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17 March 2005
Sealing opponents are becoming active in the run up to the peak of the annual Gulf of St. Lawrence seal hunt. On Tuesday, March 15 several dozen people participated in demonstrations organised in some forty cities around the world. On the other side of the issue, sealers from the Gulf—exasperated by what they qualify as outdated remarks made by their opponents—are preparing to head to sea for a short, but intense hunting season that is set to begin on March 29.
In a Radio-Canada interview last Tuesday, Donald Leblanc, ex-president of the Magdalen Island Sealers Association, asserted that while sealing has evolved since the general outcry of international demonstrations initiated by French actress Brigitte Bardot in the 1970s, demonstrators have not. In fact, archival images of whitecoats savagely beaten with sticks are still shown around the world to raise indignation. In truth, the killing of whitecoats has been banned in Canada since 1987; only weaned animals over 14 days old—known as “beaters”—can now be hunted. As for the method used, a bludgeon or hakapik (type of gaffe) is still in use. Although this technique may appear to be brutal, independent veterinarians specialized in animal slaughter have recognized that the method is efficient and ensures cruelty-free death in over 98% of cases. Also, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) greatly modified the Marine Mammal Regulations concerning sealing in 2003 to favour conservation, improve management and encourage humane practices. These modifications imposed the use of a technique to better determine if the animal is truly dead before it is bled and skinned. Other changes made it illegal to kill seals in order to harvest only certain body parts, such as fins and organs. Also, an apprenticeship period is now required before a sealer can obtain a professional hunting permit. Finally, surveillance has been increased on hunting sites to ensure that regulations are respected, especially with regards to hunting methods. Despite this, certain animal protection groups still claim that sealing is not a responsible hunt and challenge DFO studies.
DFO increased harp seal quotas, the main species hunted, in its 2003-2005 triennial plan. It authorized the killing of 975 000 harp seals—of a total population of 5.2 million—over three years. In this manner, authorities hope to slow down growth and return the seal population to a size where it is less susceptible of impeding the recovery of certain fish stocks, such as Atlantic cod. Can the control of St. Lawrence seal populations really increase fisheries yields? Despite decisions made by DFO, this question remains a hotly debated issue in scientific circles.
For several villages that become isolated in winter and where employment opportunities are rare, sealing represents a source of revenue and of food. It can also comprise a secondary income for seasonal workers like fishermen. Roger Simon, DFO's Gulf of St. Lawrence sealing co-ordinator, estimates that the value of seal products will reach 100 million dollars in 2005. While seal meat, oil and skins are exported, it is the skins that are worth the most. Yet, there is apparently great potential for the oil, which is rich in Omega-3. Furthermore, a team from Newfoundland is presently working on the development of a seal by-product that could be administered to patients recovering from surgery. [Radio-Canada, Whales online]
This just in! (4 April)
The commercial seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence officially ended on Saturday, April 2, when the quota of 89 000 seals was attained. However, the 2005 sealing season has not ended without its share of controversy. Ten activists have been arrested after confrontations between sealers and sealing opponents on the ice in the Gulf. RCMP officers presently investigating an incident that took place last Friday are still looking for witnesses. A second sealing period is set to commence on April 12, East of Newfoundland in an area known as the Front, where as many as 235 000 seals could be taken. [Radio-Canada]
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6 February 2003
Seal hunt: quota increase
Last Monday, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the 2003-2005 Atlantic Seal Hunt Management Plan, which also includes the St. Lawrence. Over the next three years, a total of 975 000 seals can be killed. The maximum annual take is 350 000 for two of the three years. Last year’s quota was 275 000 animals. These quotas are for the harp seal population that increased from 1.8 million in 1970 to 5.2 million. According to DFO estimates, the quotas announced will reduce the population to a total of 4.7 million by 2006.
Representatives from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are at odds with this management plan. They believe that the new quotas will have a devastating effect on the seal population.
The reasons invoked in favour of the seal hunt are positive economic fallout for people living in Atlantic Canada (approximately 12 000 hunters for whom the hunt represents a substantial revenue) and the control of the seal population to help build up cod stocks. However, many scientists underline the fact that it is very difficult, some say impossible, to declare with certainty that increased hunting will result in augmented commercial fish stocks. Some scientific models predict just the opposite. This is the conclusion of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s Scientific Advisory Committee. As well, the main reason for the collapse of codfish stocks in the St. Lawrence is essentially over fishing.
A recent study brought to light another factor to be considered in the case of seal populations: the drop in ice cover that could have a negative impact on reproduction. These conditions, combined with an expanded hunt, could result in an even greater decline in the harp seal population than predicted. [Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Reuters]
28 November 2002
Seals: "blue backs" could be hunted once again
Canada could allow young hooded seals, known as "blue backs", to be hunted after a 15-year hiatus. This hunt was banned in the 1980s. As with the hunt of white coats (young harp seals), images of hunters clubbing seals to death were broadcast in Europe and fuelled protests.
The hunt of hooded seals takes place mainly in Newfoundland. Hunters want to regain the right to hunt the young seals before they lose their coats, which are more valuable than the coats of adult seals. Moulting takes place between the ages of 14 months and two years, at which time the beautiful blue-grey coat becomes spotted. The annual total allowable catch of hooded seals is set at 10 000. However only 150 hooded seals were killed this year due to the low value of their coats after the moult.
The reopening of the hunt of blue backs is one of several proposals that will be presented to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Robert Thibault next month in preparation of the 2003 hunting season. The total population of hooded seals in the North West Atlantic is estimated at 650 000 animals. [ENS]
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20 December 2001
Seal management in Canada: new report from a group of experts, quotas maintained for 2002
Herb Dhaliwal, the minister responsible for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, accepted the final report of the eminent Panel on Atlantic Canada seal management last December 12. The permanent Fisheries and Oceans Canada committee had recommended the establishment of this type of independent group of experts as early as November 1999 in order to get a fresh perspective on the delicate questions and controversies that surround the management of seal populations.
This group of experts was formed in April 2000. It held public consultations and examined available scientific data. Here are a few of its findings:
- The harp seal population is stable at approximately 5.2 million animals.
- Harp seal takes are essentially governed by market forces, weather and government subsidies. Catches often do not attain quotas set by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
- Estimates of fish eaten by seals are high in relation to present catches. However, they are imprecise and likely biased.
- The role of seal predation in the failure of certain fish stocks to recover is not clear. Even if this predation was totally eliminated, it is likely that fish stocks would take a long time to once again attain exploitable levels.
- Major uncertainty is associated with any predictions concerning how fish stocks might respond to reduced seal predation.
Experts formulated various recommendations to orient research priorities in order to expand our current knowledge about seals and ground fish. They also proposed several management scenarios that will be studied by the Minister.
Mr. Dhaliwal announced that present management strategies would be maintained for 2002. The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for harp seals will remain at 275 000 animals. The hooded seal TAC will remain at 10 000 animals. A small harvest of grey seals will be allowed in areas other than Sable Island. Also, the licence conditions prohibiting the harvest of whitecoats and bluebacks will remain in place. [Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada]
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19 April 2001
Work for the seal hunters
The "Coopérative de solidarité multi-ressources les quatre mains", based in Les Escoumins, received its charter last May 29 and commenced operations in mid-January 2001. Among the co-operative’s goals are the marketing of seal products and the promotion of related handicrafts.
The harp seal is the main resource targeted by these latest efforts at sustainable development. The Co-operative is working hard to ensure that no part of the resource is wasted. The skin and claws will be used in the making of crafts; Omega-3, which has significant medical applications for cardio-vascular ailments, among others, will be extracted from the fat; the powdered bones will be put to therapeutic use to fight arthritis. Even the genital organs will be used in the fabrication of pharmaceutical fertility products. Various clients seeking these products, most of them Asian, have already placed orders for 5000 seals for 2002. The number of orders will double in the following year.
In the province of Quebec, the harp seal is also hunted on the Lower North shore and in the Magdalene Islands.
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31 March 2000
The seal hunt in the Gulf is compromised by the early melting of the ice pack
Usually at this time of year hunters make their way out onto the ice pack north of Prince Edward Island where adult harp seals gather by the hundreds of thousands. This year the ice pack broke up early, the seals dispersed. Consequently hunters will not have a very profitable season. The precarious state of the ice also had an effect on the popular tourist activity of observing white coats on the ice pack of the Magdalene Islands. As well, the early break up had an impact on the survival rate of young seals this year as pups were separated too early from their mothers. There are approximately five million harp seals in the Gulf. As last year, the Canadian harp seal quota for the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic was set at 275 000 animals. Hunting of adult seals only is permitted. [The Edmonton Journal, CRS sur MARMAM]
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28 January 2000
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has come to the conclusion that seals are slowing down the recovery of cod stocks
Grey seals and harp seals consume approximately one third of all cod in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. These are the results of a study conducted by Alain Fréchet, a biologist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Maurice Lamontagne Institute. Of a total population of 232 million cod, he estimates that 80 million small cod fall prey to the seals. This supports the opinions of Gulf fishermen who, along with the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, believe that the seal population should be reduced by half in certain areas where cod fishing is taking place. Cod fish stocks, which collapsed due to over-fishing, became the object of a moratorium from 1994 to 1996 and have been slow to recover. For the moment, seal hunting is not aimed at reducing herd sizes. Environmental groups are opposed to this, arguing that scientific data demonstrates that there is a complex food web and that reducing the number of seals would not guarantee the recovery of cod stocks. In an interview with Radio-Canada, Alain Fréchet explained that seals also eat herring which in turn feed on cod eggs and larvae. A drop in the seal population could lead to a rise in herring numbers, with the potential for a negative impact on cod stocks. Due to the fact that the management plan for seal hunting in the Atlantic and the St. Lawrence has already been adopted for the year 2000, the effects of this new information on Canadian policy with respect to seal hunting will not be known for some time. [Radio-Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada]
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29 December 1999
Year 2000 quotas for the seal hunt in the Atlantic and the St. Lawrence
Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced last December 21 that the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for harp seals for the year 2000 will be frozen at the 1999 level of 275,000. The hooded seal TAC will also remain at the 1999 level, in this case 10,000 animals. As well, the harvest of a few hundred grey seals will be allowed in areas other than Sable Island where they are protected. The Minister pointed out that there was no information available at this time that would justify a change in the TAC. However, there are some initiatives underway to clarify available information. For example, results from the 1999 harp seal population survey will be known in the spring of 2000. New studies designed to estimate the amount of seals struck but not recovered and studies related to the abundance, distribution and potential impact of seals on fish stocks will complete this information. As well, the Minister agreed to the appointment of a panel of eminent persons to provide advice on a new long-term strategy for the management of seal populations at the beginning of the year. This initiative, and the consultation of more than 80 concerned groups which has already taken place, will result in a review of the Marine Mammal Regulations. Several environmental groups along with 22 Canadian scientists have nonetheless asked the government to reduce the hunting quota for the harp seal. It is their conclusion that the seal hunt cannot be maintained at current levels without producing negative impacts on the seal population, especially considering that the same population is harvested by Greenland hunters. However, fishermen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are worried about the impacts of seals on fish stocks and have asked that seal hunt quotas be raised.[Fisheries and Oceans Canada, The Ottawa Citizen]
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