IFAW Condemns Canada’s seal hunt quota, 400,000 harp seals set to die
(London, 21 March 2012): The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) says that by setting a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 400,000 harp seals for the 2012 seal hunt, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) not only ignores the lack of market for seal products, but demonstrates a continued unwillingness to protect marine resources and live up to Canada’s international obligations for fisheries management.
“By setting the TAC at 400,000 harp seals, Canada’s Fisheries Minister is rejecting his own department’s scientific advice and throwing any pretence of a management plan out the window,” said Sheryl Fink, Director of IFAW’s Seal Program. “Sealers know that there is no market demand for this many dead seals. Setting such a high quota is a slap in the face to Canadian government scientists and an insult to sealers.”
According to the DFO Management Plan[i] seal TACs are supposed to account for new information on the status of the population, changing environmental conditions, and changes in kill levels in the Arctic, Canada and Greenland.
Departmental scientists recently warned that the harp seal population is decreasing, the productivity of the herd is in sharp decline, poor ice conditions are increasing in frequency, and that the unregulated Greenland hunt will have a major impact on this population in the future. A recent harp seal status report authored by DFO scientists notes that “the maximum harvest that would respect the management plan is 300,000 animals”.[ii]
“In light of the conservation concerns expressed by scientists, and given the current market realities, it is difficult to comprehend how the Minister can legitimately justify setting such a high catch limit,” continued Fink. “Canada is being heavily criticized for failing its international responsibilities when it comes to fisheries management. Well, now the world can see that even where management plans are in place, they are simply ignored,” said Fink.
The major markets for seal products are closed and IFAW believes it is only a matter of time before the commercial seal hunt ends. The economic value of the Atlantic seal hunt has dropped dramatically in the last five years, with only 225 sealers taking part in the 2011hunt, which had a landed value of little more than £636,000.
Most recently, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan joined the European Union, the United States and Mexico in implementing restrictions on seal products.
“The commercial seal hunt is dying. The question now is whether the Government of Canada will do the right thing by helping sealers out of the industry, or will they continue to raise false hopes by setting high quotas and pretending that this industry has a future when it clearly it does not,” said Fink.
IFAW is calling on the federal government to end the commercial seal hunt and to invest in alternatives for sealers and their communities, rather than continuing to waste taxpayer dollars to prop up a dying and economically unviable industry.
Ends
For more information, pictures or to arrange interviews please contact Tania McCrea-Steele in the IFAW UK Press Office on mobile 07917 507717 or email tmccrea@ifaw.org
Alternatively, contact Michelle Cliffe, Global Communications Lead, Seals, IFAW Canada
Tel. +1 647 986 IFAW (4329) or e-mail mcliffe@ifaw.org
Twitter: @ifawcanada www.ifaw.org/seals
Notes to editors
[ii] Hammill, M.O., G.B. Stenson, T. Doniol-Valcroize, A Mosnier. 2011. Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals Population Trends, 1952-2012. page 9. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2011/2011_099-eng.html
About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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