On the eve of the 2010 East Coast seal hunt, the Fur Institute of Canada reiterated its support for sustainable seal hunting in Canada.  The Institute, which represents seal hunters, aboriginals and marine mammal scientists through its Seals and Sealing Network, said it will continue to oppose efforts to ban the hunting of seals.

“Seal hunting in Canada continues to be environmentally sustainable and is conducted in accordance with best practices, so we see definite benefits in supporting it”, said Rob Cahill, Executive Director of the FIC.

According to the Seals and Sealing Network (SSN), campaigns to end the hunting of harp seals in Atlantic Canada rely on falsely painting the centuries-old activity. The continued use of white coat images is just one example of how campaigners unfairly play on people’s emotions, the Network says.  In addition to developing best management practices, FIC is also committed to improving public understanding of the hunt and its importance to Canadian communities.

Quick Facts on Sealing in Canada

• The Northwest Atlantic Harp Seal population is abundant and well conserved, numbering 6.8 million – the highest level ever scientifically estimated.  The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists it as a species of “least concern”.

• Employed properly, the hunting methods of Canadian professional sealers are effective and in accordance with established practices of animal welfare, as recommended by the Independent Veterinarians’ Working Group (IVWG 2005).

• Between 2006 and 2008, sealing activity yielded $53 million (CAD) in direct “landed value” to sealers based in the provinces of Quebec (QC) and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).  The total value during this period to the economies of QC and NL in product production and trade was over $120 million.

• Seal hides, or “pelts” are handled locally in Canada, where they are tanned into high-quality materials.

• Seal meat and seal oil (rendered from fat), provide locally-sourced protein and a superior source Omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) source for human consumption.

• Research and initial trials suggest harp seal heart valves are far superior to those traditionally used in human heart valve replacement procedures.