The Canadian government’s Atlantic Seal Hunt Management Plan for
2003-2005 allows the largest commercial hunt of harp seals since
restrictions of seal hunting were first introduced in 1971. Even if
management conditions are strictly adhered to, the hunt is expected
to lead to a rapid decline in populations.
“The Canadian government is using arguments to support the
killing of nearly one million seals that are publicly indefensible
because the science is so shabby. It really reflects gross
mismanagement and a politicization of the entire process,” said
John Hocevar, an Oceans Specialist with Greenpeace USA.
The report
The Canadian Seal Hunt: No Management and No Plan, provides a
historical and ecological background against which the scientific
justifiability and ecological sustainability of the Canadian harp
seal hunt is evaluated. In particular, the report documents the
diversity of existing threats that are unaccounted for in the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) management plan,
including the commercial hunt itself. Among the report
findings:
- A failure to accurately reflect the actual number of seals
killed in the hunt rendering the DFO quota figures scientifically
indefensible. The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for harp seals in
2003-2005 is 975,000. This figure does not account for seals that
are “struck and lost,” illegally hunted, killed and discarded due
to pelt damage and those killed for their organs and therefore, not
included in the pelt count - Population projections are based on assumptions that
environmental and biological factors remain unchanged over the
short and long-term, a premise that is highly questionable in light
of the increasing impact of climate change on the oceans and ice
conditions - Quotas are based on a seal census conducted at five-year
intervals. The hunt focuses on seal pups (nearly 95 percent will be
over 14 days old but under one year old) that do not reach breeding
age for five years. However, the actual impacts on the herd can
take as many as 10 years to appear and 15 years to establish any
meaningful trends. This renders the present DFO conservation
milestones and monitoring virtually meaningless.
The DFO claim a “precautionary approach” to marine protection is
a key principle of its management model. In light of the report
findings, the DFO should stop the hunt.
Photo available at: usaphoto.greenpeace.org/seals
