Seal Oil

Canadian Sealing: Ethics

The Government of Canada is committed to a humane, closely monitored seal hunt. In the same respect, the Government of Canada is also committed to the employment of its citizens. The annual Canadian seal hunt provides jobs to thousands of families on Canada's east coast and throughout the country. The seal hunt also provides much needed financial gains to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through government led and independent initiatives, some conclusions have been made about the Canadian seal hunt:

• The seal hunt is sustainable
  • Harp seal population: 5.5 million
  • Roughly 325 000 seals were hunted in 2006
• Royal Commission on Seals and Sealing (RCSS) deemed the methods used to hunt seals are as humane as the hunting of any other wild animal
  • Canadian Veterinary Journal confirmed RCSS findings. In 2002, the Canadian Veterinary Journal declared that over 95% of seals are hunted in a humane manner
• Hunting Methods: high power rifle, shotguns and hakipaks
  • All are used to hunt seals quickly
• Before receiving a license to hunt seals, first-time sealers must be supervised by a sealer with 2 years experience
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) works closely with sealers to ensure that all regulations are abided
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) places strict management measures to ensure the seal population is sustainable
• Whitecoats and bluebacks: many anti-sealing organizations and websites use the image of a whitecoat and / or blueback to obtain support to stop the seal hunt in Canada
  • Reality: whitecoats and bluebacks have not been hunted for 20 years
• Usage: full use of hunted seals for goods (oil, clothing, meat, etc)
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans does NOT subsidize the seal hunt
• All facilities distributing seal based products must be licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and all products must be deemed safe in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Omega-3 seal oil products must seek Natural Health Products Directorate (NHP) approval for sale in Canada

The annual Canadian seal hunt is an economically sound, sustainable hunt of a natural resource closely monitored by the Government of Canada as well as independent organizations.

For more information on the management plan for the seal hunt, please visit: Department of Fisheries and Oceans