What Is Seal Hunting and Why Is It Controversial?

Seal hunting is the practice of killing seals for their meat, fur, and other body parts. It is a complex issue, encompassing both traditional subsistence practices and modern commercial industries in countries like Canada, Greenland, Namibia, and Norway. The methods and motivations vary significantly, from sustaining local communities to supplying global markets, leading to a wide range of perspectives on the practice.

Cultural and Subsistence Hunting

For thousands of years, seal hunting has been an integral part of life for Indigenous peoples in the Arctic and other northern regions. In communities like the Inuit of Canada and Greenland, this practice is a source of food and a key part of their cultural identity. Archaeological evidence suggests sealing activities in some parts of Canada date back 8,000 years. The skills and knowledge for hunting are passed down through generations, reinforcing cultural traditions.

A principle of subsistence hunting is using the entire animal so nothing goes to waste. The meat provides nutrients where other food is scarce, and the skins are used for warm, waterproof clothing and boots. Blubber is rendered into oil for fuel and light, while bones and other parts are fashioned into tools. This approach reflects a philosophy of respect for the animal and the environment.

This form of hunting is carried out by individuals or small groups to provide for their families and communities. The methods involve small boats and rifles, tailored to the local environment and species like the ringed or harp seal. For these communities, seal hunting is a matter of food security and economic self-sufficiency.

Commercial Sealing Operations

Commercial seal hunting is a for-profit industry, primarily in countries like Canada, Namibia, and Norway. This large-scale enterprise targets specific populations, most notably the abundant harp seals in the Northwest Atlantic. The commercial hunt is driven by market demand for seal-derived products to supply international markets.

The main products from the commercial hunt are pelts and oil. Seal pelts are valued for their fur, used in the fashion industry for coats and other garments. Seal oil is processed to extract omega-3 fatty acids, which are sold globally as health supplements, while the meat is a secondary product.

National governments manage and regulate these operations. For instance, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans sets annual quotas to manage the harvest of harp seals. The industry provides seasonal employment for fishermen in coastal regions like Newfoundland and Labrador. This economic activity is concentrated in the spring when seal herds gather on ice floes to give birth.

The Global Debate and Activism

The commercial seal hunt is the subject of an international debate over animal welfare, economic necessity, and ecological balance. Animal rights and conservation organizations have brought global attention to the issue using powerful imagery and campaigns. These groups argue that the methods used in the commercial hunt are inhumane.

A point of contention is the use of tools like the hakapik, a club with a metal hook, alongside rifles. Opponents argue these methods can lead to suffering, particularly in the fast-paced environment of a large-scale operation on unstable ice. The visual nature of the hunt, which involves killing young seals, has fueled public outrage and campaigns calling for an end to the practice.

Proponents defend the hunt as a necessary economic activity and a well-managed harvest of a sustainable resource. They argue it provides income in regions with limited economic alternatives and is part of their cultural heritage. Some in the fishing industry also claim that large seal populations consume significant quantities of valuable fish, like cod, and that the hunt helps maintain a balanced marine ecosystem.

These conflicting views create a deep divide between those who advocate for ending commercial sealing on ethical grounds and those who defend it for economic and cultural reasons. The debate also touches on the rights of communities to manage their own natural resources.

Regulation and International Trade

In response to controversy and conservation concerns, seal hunting is subject to strict government regulation. National authorities establish rules like setting annual quotas, limiting the hunting season, and specifying approved weapons. Hunters may also be required to undergo training and licensing. A significant regulation in Canada was the 1987 ban on hunting harp seal pups, known as “whitecoats,” which are seals under two weeks old.

The international community has also acted through trade restrictions. The European Union implemented a ban on importing products from the commercial seal hunt in 2009, which heavily impacted the industry. The ban provides an exemption for products from hunts by Inuit and other Indigenous communities, recognizing their cultural importance.

The United States has also long prohibited the import of most marine mammal products, including from seals, under its Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. These trade bans have reduced the global market for seal products, causing a decline in the number of seals hunted commercially. While countries like Canada may still set high quotas, the actual number of seals taken is often far lower due to this diminished market demand.