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

1. 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

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

3. Harp Seal Life Cycle Whitecoat Ragged Jacket Beater Adult

4. 3 Harp Seal Populations White Sea West Ice Newfoundland & Labrador

5. Migration and Whelping Areas(Northwest Atlantic Population)

6. HARP SEAL DIET • DO SEALS EAT NORTH ATLANTIC COD? • STAPLES FOR THE SEALS: capelin, Arctic cod, polar cod and herring • SEALS ALSO EAT: halibut, shrimp, small crabs, squid • Only a few % of their diet is N. Atlantic cod

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

8. Harp Seals Killed in Canada Over the Years

9. Canada’s Harp Seal Slaughter In most years since 2000, this has been the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world Current quotas are as high as kill rates prior to 1971 when the population nearly collapsed and quotas were first established Over 2.65 million baby seals were killed between 2000 and 2012 Official numbers do not include 'struck and lost' seals - those who were shot but slipped away to die later Seals are killed primarily for skins. Revenues from the blubber, which is made into omega-3 fatty acid supplements, are lower.

10. Seals & Cod – A History of the Controversy 1497: John Cabot discovered abundant fishing grounds 1500’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 1700’s: Sealing became an established activity among Canadiens and later, in Newfoundland 1800’s: English and Irish immigrants arrived and established cod fishery 1949: Newfoundland & Labrador joined Canada 1950’s: Fishing fleets modernized--draggers and trawlers 1977-80’s: Exclusive Economic Zone established in Canadian waters 1983: Europe banned “whitecoat” seal products 1992: Atlantic cod fishery collapsed. DFO began blaming seals. 1995: 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 continued to blame seals for cod population collapse. Today: Newfoundland economy based on oil, seafood, newsprint, iron ore, electricity. Sealing: < 0.02% of provincial economy

11. Cruel Massacre 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. Sealers are allowed to club or shoot multiple seal pups before ensuring that each seal is dead. Sealers aim at seals’ heads and usually don’t kill with the 1st bullet. Sealers shoot again or club them to death. Sealers hook and drag seals while they are still conscious. 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 each year.

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

13. Effects of Lack of Sea Ice on Seal Pups Mother and whitecoat pup on small ice pan Seal pup on broken sea ice Mike Hammill, DFO, 2007 HSUS 2007 Whitecoat pup struggles to get back on ice Seal pup on Tignish Shore, PEI Photo Darlene Morrissey, 2011 Reuters 2010

14. 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.” • 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.”

15. Europe Takes Action • European Union banned imports of all seal products (exception: seal skins obtained by Inuit) in 2009 • In 2011, Russia banned imports of seal products • Russia was the destination for 95% of the seal pelts • These bans essentially wiped out the market for seal skins

16. Why Does the Killing Continue? No longer officially to help the cod population recover or reduce a seal population that is ‘too large’ • But fishing industry promotes seal ‘hunt’ Officially a MARKET-based ‘hunt’ • Extra income for fishermen (about 5%) • Now that markets have dried up, NL is funding hunt 100% Newfoundland Politics • DFO minister usually comes from NL Tradition – Sealers’ ‘Pride’

17. Strategy to Stop the Slaughter Canadian Seafood Boycott • 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 • 65-70% of their seafood is exported to the United States • Seal pelts typically generate $1-7 million dollars annually; however, in 2012, NL taxpayers footed the bill • Over 6,000 businesses and 750,000 individuals have pledged to avoid some or all Canadian seafood. This includes Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe’s and many others

18. Main Opposition Groups • HARPSEALS.ORG (only group focused on harp seal slaughter) • Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) • International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) • Animal Alliance of Canada • Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition • People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

19. How YOU Can Help • Support the Canadian Seafood Boycott • Start or join a group of activists and organize public awareness events. Spread the word. • Join Harpseals.org – Sign up for e-newsletters and join us on Facebook • Organize fundraisers • Donate (for billboards, radio spots, TV spots, etc) • Write letters to the Canadian Government and Darden Corp. (Red Lobster Restaurants). Visit our Letters & Emails web page

20. Take Action - Join Us! Harpseals.org Thank You