5 Signs the Canadian Seal Hunt Is on the Way Out

The debate over the sustainability of Canada’s annual seal hunt can hardly be considered a two-sided argument. It would be more aptly described as a wall of stead-fast, verified facts and science versus the nonsensical ramblings of a stubborn child (ie. the Canadian Department of Fisheries).

Despite rampant opposition to the antiquated tradition, the Canadian Government has raised the quota for this year to 400,000 seals – a number that is not only unlikely to be met, but will leave Canada with a stockpile of seal meat and fur for which there is no market. This seems like little more than a pathetic grab to maintain relevance.

Paired with this clever numbers game, the government has tried to sneakily impose ag-gag type legislation to prevent pictures of the brutal clubbing of seal cubs from leaking to the internet…because if it’s not on Facebook then there’s no evidence that the hunt is “inhumane.” But regardless of attempts to cover their tracks, seal blood is a bit more difficult to wash of the murderous reputation of the Canadian seal hunt. And quite frankly, the global audience is just not having it. With the help of animal activist organizations and passionate-animal lovers across the world, the Canadian seal hunt is getting the bad press it deserves and it seems to be working! While certain sectors of Canada may have not caught on fully…the seal hunt is on its way out for sure, and here are five signs that prove it!

1. International Bans on Seal Products

In August 2010, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union put a ban on seal products into effect across EU and European nations. The ban effectively ended the import, export and sale of commercial seal products. The following year, the Custom Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation also enacted a ban on the import and export of harp seal skins — Russia alone was formerly responsible for the import of 90 percent of Canada’s seal skins.

2. Stalled Sales in China

After the European markets shut their doors to seal meat, Canadian fisheries set up a deal to sell seal meat to China in 2011. However, since the deal was initiated there has yet to be an import of seal meat to China thanks to the work of animal activists who have successfully blocked the trade.

3. Simple Supply/Demand Problems

Canada has poured millions of dollars into promotions for the seal hunt, despite clear evidence it is on the way out. Though officials insist that the hunt is sustainable and helps prevent seals from devouring fish, effectively hindering the nation’s economy – there is no doubt that as foreign markets shut their doors to seal meat and fur, the hunt is costing the economy more than its worth. In 2012, Canada’s Department of Fisheries sanctioned a hunt with the goal of slaughtering 220,000 seals over five years, however since the demand for seal was so low this quota was not met…yet the hunt continues. Time to let it go, guys.

4. Seals Are Not the Problem

It is traditional lore that the seals are responsible for the ever-shrinking fish population, which may have been the case many-a-moon ago, but today we can point directly to human-driven overfishing as the cause of fish disappearances. Both scientists and researchers agree that overfishing is to blame — so it is time to put that myth to bed and exonerate the seals.

5. Even Kaley Cuoco Says Its Gotta Go

If the plain facts and science aren’t enough to prove that the seal hunt is a cruel, unjustified practice, perhaps Kaley Cuoco‘s seal of disapproval does. The starlit took to twitter in shock that the hunt was considered “humane” after viewing graphic photos of injured seal cubs. Cuoco has even teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States to rally supporters against the seal hunt (follow the link to join her!). She has also started the hashtag #saveseals on Twitter if you want to add your voice to the conversation!

Image source: Albert Herring/Wikimedia Commons