Canadian Seal Hunt

(CC) Image by Matthieu Godbout

Every Year the Canadian government sentences hundreds of thousands of baby harp seals to death. Seals are killed in some of the most brutal and horrific methods known to man. The vast majority of seals (95%) are less than three months old when they are isolated from their mothers and cruelly slaughtered. Canada attempts to justify the seal slaughter by claiming that it helps sustain Arctic cod populations which are currently severely depleted. They also promote the idea that Inuit's rely on the hunt for their income and livelihood. Both of these claims can be falsified as cod numbers have depleted due to over fishing and Inuit’s do not even take part in the hunt. Inuit’s instead choose to hunt adult ring seals (as opposed to baby harp seals) and only kill around 10,000 each year.

Slaughter Methods

Sealers often rush the slaughter process so they can move on to the next seal and get as many pelts as possible. The killing process is often conducted hurriedly thus inflicting more suffering on the harp seals. Many seals are clubbed repeatedly using hakapiks and pickaxes, they are then skinned alive. Some seals have their skulls bashed in and others have hooks forced into their eyes, mouths and bodies after which they are dragged across the ice and killed. All of these slaughter methods are far from humane and leave the seals in agonizing pain.

Seal Uses

Hundreds of thousands of baby seals are killed primarily for their furs. The seal skins and furs are made in to boots, coats and jackets and are rarely used by designers outside of Canada. The pelts account for around half of all the seal’s commercial usage whilst the blubber is used for oil in supplements and the meat is used mainly for pet food in Asia. There has been a declining market for seal oil, meat and fur in the last 10 years.

Profiteers

The Canadian government is the main profiteer from the cruel hunt with the average prices of seal pelts selling between $14 to $100 a pelt. Further profits are made from the blubber and meat, although these profits amount to very little. Companies such as Versace, Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton have all in the past used seal furs and skins, which they had fashioned into coats, boots and hats. Both the Canadian Government and the companies purchasing seal pelts clearly disregard the often quoted moral that ‘every life is priceless’.

World Reaction

Mexico has made all seal imports illegal whilst the US has a long standing seal import ban since 1972. In 2006 President Obama spoke out against the Seal hunt calling it 'inhumane' and an 'outrage'. The EU has banned all seal products and over 500,000 people have signed the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) call for an immediate ban of the hunt. Many thousands of people have also signed various other petitions throughout the past few years helping put more and more pressure on the Canadian Government. The Canadian fur industry had responded to the EU ban by attempting to overthrow the European Legislation, claiming Inuit’s livelihood’s depended on seal exports. However, the temporary suspension on the ban was later ended and the seal imports ban is now in effect throughout Europe.

Companies Using Seal Fur and Oil

Designers who have used seal fur are as follows; Annika Heinadottir, Birger Christensen, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, New Vogue, Odette LeBlanc, Pajar, Petit Norde, Prada, Versace, and Vogue Furriers. Some omega 3 oils may be derived from seals and will be labelled as either seal oil, marine oil or one of the following Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).The known companies to be selling seal oil capsules and herbs are Costco,Terra Nova, Canomega, and Omegavite. The main markets for Canadian seal furs are China and Russia, the latter of which may be a surprise seeing as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has spoken out against the baby seal slaughter.

(CC) Image by Tuftronic10000

Action

Hundreds of thousands of people have spoken up for seals asking the Canadian government to end the hunt, but Canada has not listened. However, it is still important to continue the pressure by writing to Canadian MP's and Senators asking them to reconsider their support for seal hunting. One of the easiest actions to take is boycotting all companies that use seal furs, seal oil and seal meat so your money will not go to fund such cruelty. Boycotting all Canadian seafood is also important because Canada's seafood industry supports and endorses the hunt. Finally, create petitions and send emails to seal exploiting companies asking them to stop using seal fur, oil or meat. Even if you see a website stocking a seal product, kindly inform them of the cruelty and ask them to stop selling the product.