Harp Seals and the Canadian Harp Seal ‘Hunt’: Ecological and Humane Implications Harpseals.org All volunteer, non profit organization with one goal: To permanently end the annual Canadian harp seal slaughter

What is a Harp Seal? What is a Harp Seal? Sub order: Pinnipedia 3 Families of Pinnipeds: Eared Seals (Otariidae) True Seals (Phocidae) Walruses(Odobenidae)

Harp Seal Life Cycle Harp Seal Life Cycle Whitecoat Raggedy Jacket BeaterAdult

HARP SEAL DIET DO SEALS EAT NORTH ATLANTIC COD? DO SEALS EAT NORTH ATLANTIC COD? STAPLES FOR THE SEALS: capelin, Arctic cod, polar cod and herring STAPLES FOR THE SEALS: capelin, Arctic cod, polar cod and herring SEALS ALSO EAT: halibut, shrimp, small crabs, squid SEALS ALSO EAT: halibut, shrimp, small crabs, squid

3 Harp Seal Populations 3 Harp Seal Populations White Sea West Ice Newfoundland & Labrador

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

Canada’s Killing Fields Canada’s Killing Fields The “Front” The “Gulf”

Canada’s Harp Seal Slaughter Largest Slaughter of Marine Mammals in the World Current quotas as high as kill rates prior to 1971 when population nearly collapsed and quotas were first established Over 1.3 million baby seals killed ( ) Over 325,000 killed in March-April 2006 March-April 2007 kill quota (TAC): 270, actual kill: ~ 215,000 seal pups

Newfoundland and Labrador Timeline John Cabot discovers abundant fishing grounds John Cabot discovers abundant fishing grounds 1800’s- English and Irish immigrants arrive 1800’s- English and Irish immigrants arrive Newfoundland & Labrador join Canada Newfoundland & Labrador join Canada 1950’s- Fishing fleets modernized--draggers and trawlers 1950’s- Fishing fleets modernized--draggers and trawlers ’s EEZ established. Huge Canadian & Foreign fleets ’s EEZ established. Huge Canadian & Foreign fleets Europe bans “whitecoat” products Europe bans “whitecoat” products Atlantic cod fishery collapses Atlantic cod fishery collapses Seal hunt revived. Subsides. Killing increased Seal hunt revived. Subsides. Killing increased Oil, fish products, newsprint, iron ore, electricity Oil, fish products, newsprint, iron ore, electricity

Cruel Killing Methods 95% of the slaughtered seals are babies 3-12 weeks old. Defenseless pups--can’t swim and little chance for escape. Clubbed with a hakapik and left to suffer in agony until skinned or shot and dragged to skinning area with hooks. Independent veterinary team reported up to 42% were skinned while still conscious. Cruel and senseless slaughter for their fur.

Spring 2007: Another Year of Unusual Weather March 2007 – Gulf: Poor Ice, few surviving seals March 2007 – Gulf: Poor Ice, few surviving seals April 2007 – Front: Ice closes in on sealing boats April 2007 – Front: Ice closes in on sealing boats

Canadian Government Position Canadian Government Position Sustainable – 5.8 million seals. “Almost triple what it was in the 1970’s.” “Managed on socio-economic considerations until 70% population level is reached.” “Managed with a precautionary approach.” Sustainable – 5.8 million seals. “Almost triple what it was in the 1970’s.” “Managed on socio-economic considerations until 70% population level is reached.” “Managed with a precautionary approach.” Viable – “economically viable and not subsidized by the Fisheries and Oceans” Viable – “economically viable and not subsidized by the Fisheries and Oceans” Humane–Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing said that the killing is comparable to hunting any other wildlife. An independent group of veterinarians reported that ~98% are killed in an “acceptably humane manner” Humane–Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing said that the killing is comparable to hunting any other wildlife. An independent group of veterinarians reported that ~98% are killed in an “acceptably humane manner”

Why Does the Killing Continue? Officially NOT to help the cod population recover or reduce a seal population that is ‘too large’ Officially NOT to help the cod population recover or 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%) Newfoundland Politics – DFO minister comes from NL Newfoundland Politics – DFO minister comes from NL Tradition – Sealers’ ‘Pride’ Tradition – Sealers’ ‘Pride’

Canadian Seafood Boycott Objective: Force the Canadian fishing industry to stop the killing by making them pay a severe financial penalty Objective: Force the Canadian fishing industry to stop the killing by making them pay a severe financial penalty The Canadian seafood industry generates $5 billion dollars annually for the Canadian economy The Canadian seafood industry generates $5 billion dollars annually for the Canadian economy 65-70% of their seafood is exported to the United States 65-70% of their seafood is exported to the United States Seal pelts generate $16-20 million dollars annually Seal pelts generate $16-20 million dollars annually Over 2,500 businesses and 440,000 individuals have pledged to avoid some or all Canadian seafood. This includes Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats Markets and many others Over 2,500 businesses and 440,000 individuals have pledged to avoid some or all Canadian seafood. This includes Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats Markets and many others Strategy to Stop the Slaughter

Europe Takes Action Europe Takes Action European Parliament Declaration--Sept 2006 European Parliament Declaration--Sept 2006 UK Pressuring European Commission for EU ban UK Pressuring European Commission for EU ban Countries that have banned seal imports or are in the process of passing laws: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Turkey Countries that have banned seal imports or are in the process of passing laws: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Turkey

Main Opposition Groups Main Opposition Groups HARPSEALS.ORG (only group focused on this) HARPSEALS.ORG (only group focused on this) Animal Alliance of Canada Animal Alliance of Canada Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition 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) Respect For Animals Respect For Animals Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS)

How YOU Can Help How YOU Can Help Support the Canadian Seafood Boycott Support the Canadian Seafood Boycott Start or join a group of activists and organize public awareness events. Spread the word Start or join a group of activists and organize public awareness events. Spread the word Join Harpseals.org and Sea Shepherd (501(c)(3) non- profits) Join Harpseals.org and Sea Shepherd (501(c)(3) non- profits) 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. (Red Lobster Restaurants) Write letters to the Canadian Government and Darden Corp. (Red Lobster Restaurants)

Take Action - Join Us! Take Action - Join Us! harpseals.org seashepherd.org Thank You Thank You