Seal Hunting and Animal Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Commercial seal hunting continues in Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia, raising serious welfare concerns about killing methods and the suffering of pups.

Key Facts

Canada's commercial harp seal hunt kills hundreds of thousands of seals annually
Seals are killed using hakapiks (clubs with metal hooks) and rifles; humaneness depends heavily on hunter skill
The EU banned the import of seal products in 2009, significantly reducing markets for seal pelts
Greenlandic and Indigenous seal hunts are conducted for subsistence and are treated differently under international agreements
Seal populations in the Northwest Atlantic are considered stable, though climate change threatens pup survival

Welfare Considerations

The welfare concern in commercial seal hunting centres on the rate of animals that are improperly stunned or killed and therefore suffer prolonged pain. Studies have found that a significant proportion of seals show signs of incomplete unconsciousness before being struck again. Club killing, while potentially rapid if executed correctly, requires high skill levels under variable field conditions. The EU import ban has been the single most effective welfare intervention, removing market incentives for high-volume commercial hunting.

What You Can Do

Support the EU import ban on seal products and advocate for equivalent legislation in other markets
Oppose trade agreements that could reopen markets for commercial seal products
Learn about the distinction between commercial and Indigenous subsistence seal hunting
Support organisations monitoring seal hunt welfare and advocating for improved standards
Engage with the complex intersection of Indigenous rights and animal welfare in seal hunting debates