Harp Seals and the Canadian Harp Seal Harp Seals and the Canadian Harp Seal ‘Hunt’: Ecological and Humane ‘Hunt’: Ecological and Humane

ImplicationsImplications

Harpseals.orgHarpseals.orgAll volunteer, non profit organization with one All volunteer, non profit organization with one

goal: goal:

To permanently end the annual Canadian harp To permanently end the annual Canadian harp seal slaughterseal slaughter

What is a Harp Seal?What is a Harp Seal?

Sub order: PinnipediaSub order: Pinnipedia3 Families of Pinnipeds:3 Families of Pinnipeds:

Eared SealsEared Seals(Otariidae)(Otariidae)

True SealsTrue Seals(Phocidae)(Phocidae)

WalrusesWalruses(Odobenidae)(Odobenidae)

Harp Seal Life Cycle Harp Seal Life Cycle

WhitecoatWhitecoat Ragged JacketRagged Jacket

BeaterBeater AdultAdult

3 Harp Seal Populations3 Harp Seal Populations

White Sea

West Ice

Newfoundland& Labrador

Migration and Whelping Migration and Whelping AreasAreas (Northwest Atlantic Population)(Northwest Atlantic Population)

HARP SEAL DIETHARP SEAL DIET

DO SEALS EAT NORTH DO SEALS EAT NORTH ATLANTIC COD?ATLANTIC COD?

STAPLES FOR THE STAPLES FOR THE SEALS: capelin, Arctic SEALS: capelin, Arctic cod, polar cod and cod, polar cod and herringherring

SEALS ALSO EAT: SEALS ALSO EAT: halibut, shrimp, small halibut, shrimp, small crabs, squidcrabs, squid

Only a few % of their Only a few % of their diet is N. Atlantic coddiet is N. Atlantic cod

Canada’s Killing FieldsCanada’s Killing Fields

The “Front”

The “Gulf”

Harp Seals Killed in Canada Over the YearsHarp Seals Killed in Canada Over the Years

Year Killed Year Killed Year Killed Year Killed

1965 234,253 1978 161,723 1991 52,588 2004 365,971

1966 323,139 1979 160,541 1992 68,668 2005 329,829

1967 334,356 1980 169,526 1992 27,003 2006 354,867

1968 192,696 1981 202,169 1994 61,379 2007 224,745

1969 288,812 1982 166,739 1995 65,767 2008 217,636

1970 257,495 1983 57,889 1996 242,906 2009 74,581

1971 23,966 1984 31,544 1997 264,210 2010 67,327

1972 129,883 1985 19,035 1998 282,624 2011 37,609

1973 123,832 1986 25,934 1999 244,603 2012 69,175

1974 147,635 1987 46,796 2000 92,068 2013 90,318

1975 174,363 1988 94,046 2001 226,493

1976 165,002 1989 65,304 2002 312,367

1977 155,143 1990 60,162 2003 289,512

Canada’s Harp Seal SlaughterCanada’s Harp Seal Slaughter

In most years since 2000, this has been the largest slaughter of In most years since 2000, this has been the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the worldmarine mammals in the world

Current quotas are as high as kill rates prior to 1971 when the Current quotas are as high as kill rates prior to 1971 when the population nearly collapsed and quotas were first establishedpopulation nearly collapsed and quotas were first established

Over 2.65 million baby seals were killed between 2000 and 2012Over 2.65 million baby seals were killed between 2000 and 2012

Official numbers do not include 'struck and lost' seals - those who Official numbers do not include 'struck and lost' seals - those who were shot but slipped away to die laterwere shot but slipped away to die later

Seals are killed primarily for skins. Revenues from the blubber, Seals are killed primarily for skins. Revenues from the blubber, which is made into omega-3 fatty acid supplements, are lower.which is made into omega-3 fatty acid supplements, are lower.

Seals & Cod – A History of the ControversySeals & Cod – A History of the Controversy 1497: John Cabot discovered abundant fishing grounds1497: John Cabot discovered abundant fishing grounds

1500’s: Basques and Bretons killed large numbers of walruses on the Magdalen Islands1500’s: Basques and Bretons killed large numbers of walruses on the Magdalen Islands

1661: Francois Bissot granted fishing and sealing rights over Gulf of St. Lawrence 1661: Francois Bissot granted fishing and sealing rights over Gulf of St. Lawrence

1700’s: Sealing became an established activity among Canadiens and later, in 1700’s: Sealing became an established activity among Canadiens and later, in NewfoundlandNewfoundland

1800’s: English and Irish immigrants arrived and established cod fishery1800’s: English and Irish immigrants arrived and established cod fishery

1949: Newfoundland & Labrador joined Canada1949: Newfoundland & Labrador joined Canada

1950’s: Fishing fleets modernized--draggers and trawlers 1950’s: Fishing fleets modernized--draggers and trawlers

1977-80’s: Exclusive Economic Zone established in Canadian waters1977-80’s: Exclusive Economic Zone established in Canadian waters

1983: Europe banned “whitecoat” seal products 1983: Europe banned “whitecoat” seal products

1992: Atlantic cod fishery collapsed. DFO began blaming seals.1992: Atlantic cod fishery collapsed. DFO began blaming seals.

1995: Scientists said there was no evidence for harp seals’ role in cod collapse1995: Scientists said there was no evidence for harp seals’ role in cod collapse

1995-2000: Seal hunt revived, subsidized by Canadian government. Killing increased. DFO 1995-2000: Seal hunt revived, subsidized by Canadian government. Killing increased. DFO continued to blame seals for cod population collapse.continued to blame seals for cod population collapse.

Today: Newfoundland economy based on oil, seafood, newsprint, iron ore, electricity. Today: Newfoundland economy based on oil, seafood, newsprint, iron ore, electricity. Sealing: < 0.02% of provincial economySealing: < 0.02% of provincial economy

Cruel MassacreCruel Massacre

95% of the slaughtered seals are pups 3-12 weeks old.95% of the slaughtered seals are pups 3-12 weeks old. Defenseless: in the Gulf, they haven’t learned to swim yet and can’t escape.Defenseless: in the Gulf, they haven’t learned to swim yet and can’t escape. Sealers are allowed to club or shoot multiple seal pups before ensuring that Sealers are allowed to club or shoot multiple seal pups before ensuring that each seal is dead.each seal is dead. Sealers aim at seals’ heads and usually don’t kill with the 1Sealers aim at seals’ heads and usually don’t kill with the 1stst bullet. Sealers bullet. Sealers shoot again or club them to death. shoot again or club them to death. Sealers hook and drag seals while they are still conscious.Sealers hook and drag seals while they are still conscious. 2001 veterinary study found up to 42% of seals were skinned alive. Current 2001 veterinary study found up to 42% of seals were skinned alive. Current regulations to prevent this are not always followed and violations are documented regulations to prevent this are not always followed and violations are documented each year.each year.

Reduction in Sea Ice Coverage in Gulf of Reduction in Sea Ice Coverage in Gulf of St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence

Effects of Lack of Sea Ice on Seal PupsEffects of Lack of Sea Ice on Seal Pups

Photo Darlene Morrissey, 2011 Reuters 2010

HSUS 2007HSUS 2007Mike Hammill, DFO, 2007

Seal pup on Tignish Shore, PEISeal pup on Tignish Shore, PEI

Mother and whitecoat pup on small ice panMother and whitecoat pup on small ice pan Seal pup on broken sea iceSeal pup on broken sea ice

Whitecoat pup struggles to get back on iceWhitecoat pup struggles to get back on ice

Canadian Government Canadian Government PositionPosition SustainableSustainable – 5.8 million seals. “Almost triple what it was in the – 5.8 million seals. “Almost triple what it was in the

1970’s.” “Managed on socio-economic considerations until 70% 1970’s.” “Managed on socio-economic considerations until 70% population level is reached.” “Managed with a precautionary population level is reached.” “Managed with a precautionary approach.”approach.”

ViableViable – “economically viable and not subsidized by the Fisheries – “economically viable and not subsidized by the Fisheries and Oceans”and Oceans”

HumaneHumane– Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing said that the killing – Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing said that the killing is comparable to hunting any other wildlife. An independent group of is comparable to hunting any other wildlife. An independent group of veterinarians reported that ~98% are killed in an “acceptably veterinarians reported that ~98% are killed in an “acceptably humane manner.” humane manner.”

Europe Takes ActionEurope Takes Action

European Union banned imports of all European Union banned imports of all seal products (exception: seal skins seal products (exception: seal skins obtained by Inuit) in 2009obtained by Inuit) in 2009

In 2011, Russia banned imports of seal In 2011, Russia banned imports of seal productsproducts Russia was the destination for 95% of the Russia was the destination for 95% of the

seal peltsseal pelts

These bans essentially wiped out the These bans essentially wiped out the market for seal skinsmarket for seal skins

Why Does the Killing Continue?Why Does the Killing Continue?

No longer officially to help the cod population recover or No longer officially to help the cod population recover or reduce a seal population that is ‘too large’reduce a seal population that is ‘too large’ But fishing industry promotes seal ‘hunt’But fishing industry promotes seal ‘hunt’

Officially a MARKET-based ‘hunt’Officially a MARKET-based ‘hunt’ Extra income for fishermen (about 5%)Extra income for fishermen (about 5%) Now that markets have dried up, NL is funding hunt 100%Now that markets have dried up, NL is funding hunt 100%

Newfoundland Politics Newfoundland Politics DFO minister usually comes from NLDFO minister usually comes from NL

Tradition – Sealers’ ‘Pride’Tradition – Sealers’ ‘Pride’

Canadian Seafood BoycottCanadian Seafood Boycott Objective: Force the Canadian fishing industry to stop Objective: Force the Canadian fishing industry to stop

the killing by making them pay a severe financial penaltythe killing by making them pay a severe financial penalty

The Canadian seafood industry generates $5 The Canadian seafood industry generates $5 billionbillion dollars annually for the Canadian economydollars annually for the Canadian economy

65-70% of their seafood is exported to the United States65-70% of their seafood is exported to the United States

Seal pelts typically generate $1-7 million dollars Seal pelts typically generate $1-7 million dollars annually; however, in 2012, NL taxpayers footed the billannually; however, in 2012, NL taxpayers footed the bill

Over 6,000 businesses and 750,000 individuals have Over 6,000 businesses and 750,000 individuals have pledged to avoid some or all Canadian seafood. This pledged to avoid some or all Canadian seafood. This includes Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Trader includes Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe’s and many others Joe’s and many others

Strategy to Stop the SlaughterStrategy to Stop the Slaughter

Main Opposition GroupsMain Opposition Groups

HARPSEALS.ORG (only group focused on harp HARPSEALS.ORG (only group focused on harp seal slaughter)seal slaughter)

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Alliance of Canada Animal Alliance of Canada Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing CoalitionAtlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

(PETA)(PETA)

How How YOUYOU Can Help Can Help

Support the Canadian Seafood Boycott Support the Canadian Seafood Boycott

Start or join a group of activists and organize public Start or join a group of activists and organize public awareness events. Spread the word.awareness events. Spread the word.

Join Harpseals.org – Sign up for e-newsletters and join us Join Harpseals.org – Sign up for e-newsletters and join us on Facebookon Facebook

Organize fundraisers Organize fundraisers

Donate (for billboards, radio spots, TV spots, etc)Donate (for billboards, radio spots, TV spots, etc)

Write letters to the Canadian Government and Darden Corp. Write letters to the Canadian Government and Darden Corp. (Red Lobster Restaurants). Visit our Letters & Emails web (Red Lobster Restaurants). Visit our Letters & Emails web pagepage

Take Action - Join Us!Take Action - Join Us!

Harpseals.orgHarpseals.org Thank YouThank You