![Seals and Sealing in Canada](/web/20071114221107im_/http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/images/Seal_subtitle_e.jpg)
ATLANTIC CANADA SEAL HUNT
Myth #1: The Canadian government allows sealers to kill whitecoat seals.
Reality: The image of the whitecoat harp seal is used prominently
by seal hunt opponents. This image gives the false impression that
vulnerable seal pups are targeted by sealers during the commercial hunt.
The hunting of harp seal pups (whitecoats) and hooded seal pups (bluebacks)
is illegal – and has been since 1987. Marine Mammal Regulations
prohibit the trade, sale or barter of the fur of these pups. The seals that
are hunted are self-reliant, independent animals.
Myth #2: Seals are being skinned alive.
Reality: A 2002 independent veterinarians’ report published in the
Canadian Veterinary Journal and numerous reports mentioned by the
Malouf Commission (1987) indicate that this is not true.
Sometimes a seal may appear to be moving after it has been killed;
however seals have a swimming reflex that is active – even after death. This
reflex gives the false impression that the animal is still alive when it is
clearly dead – similar to the reflex in chickens.
Myth #3: The club – or hakapik – is a barbaric and inhumane tool that
has no place in today’s world.
Reality: Hunting methods were studied by the Royal Commission on
Seals and Sealing in Canada and it found that the clubbing of seals, when
properly performed, is at least as humane as, and often more humane than,
the killing methods used in commercial slaughterhouses, which are accepted
by the majority of the public.
A 2002 report published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal found
that the club or hakapik is an efficient tool designed to kill the animal
quickly and humanely.
Sealers in the Magdalen Islands (Gulf of St. Lawrence) and on Quebec's
Lower North Shore, where about 25% of the hunt occurs, use both rifles and
hakapiks while sealers on the ice floes on the Front (in the waters east of
Newfoundland), where 75% of the hunt occurs, primarily use rifles.
Myth #4: The Canadian government is allowing sealers to kill thousands
of seals to help with the recovery of cod stocks.
Reality: Several factors have contributed to the lack of recovery
of Atlantic cod stocks, such as fishing effort, poor growth and physical
condition of the fish, and environmental changes.
In addition, there are many uncertainties in the estimates of the amount
of fish consumed by seals. The commercial quota is established on sound
conservation principles, not an attempt to assist in the recovery of
groundfish stocks.
Myth #5: The hunt is unsustainable and is endangering the harp seal
population.
Reality:
Since the 1960s, environmental groups have
been saying the seal hunt is unsustainable. In fact, the harp seal
population is healthy and abundant. A 2004 survey estimated the Northwest
Atlantic harp seal population at approximately 5.8 million animals, nearly
triple what it was in the 1970s.
DFO sets quotas at
levels that ensure the health and abundance of seal herds. In no way are
seals - and harp seals in particular – an “endangered species”.
Myth #6: The seal hunt provides such low economic return for sealers
that it is not an economically viable industry.
Reality:
While markets for seal pelts are subject to
significant variation from one year to the next, the 2006 seal hunt was one
of the most profitable in memory.
Given extremely favourable
market conditions, the landed value of the harp seal hunt was $33 million.
The average price per pelt received by sealers was $97, an increase of 77%
over the 2005 average value of $55.
Seals are a
significant source of income for some individual sealers and for thousands
of families in Eastern Canada at a time of year when other fishing options
are limited at best, in many remote, coastal communities. Sealing also
creates employment opportunities for buying and processing plants.
Myth #7: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) provides subsidies for the
seal hunt.
Reality: DFO does not subsidize the seal hunt. Sealing is an
economically viable industry. All subsidies ceased in 2001. Even before that
time, any subsidies provided were for market and product development,
including a meat subsidy, to encourage full use of the seal. In fact,
government has provided much less subsidization to the sealing industry than
recommended by the Royal Commission on Seals and Sealing.
Myth #8: The seal hunt is loosely monitored and DFO doesn’t punish
illegal hunting activity or practices.
Reality: The seal hunt is closely monitored and tightly
regulated. Fishery Officers conduct surveillance of the hunt by means of
aerial patrols, surface (vessel) patrols, dockside inspections of vessels at
landing sites and inspections at buying and processing facilities.
Infractions are taken seriously and sealers who fail to comply with
Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations are penalized. The consequences of
such illegal actions could include court-imposed fines and the forfeiting of
catches, fishing gear, vessels and licences.
Myth #9: The majority of Canadians are opposed to the seal hunt.
Reality: Animal rights groups currently campaigning against the
seal hunt cite a 2004 Ipsos‑Reid poll stating that the majority of Canadians
are opposed to the hunt. In fact, Canadians support federal policies
regarding the seal hunt. An Ipsos-Reid survey conducted in February 2005
concluded that 60% of Canadians are in favour of a responsible hunt. |