Seal Hunting: Commercial, Indigenous, and Subsistence Practices

Seal hunting ranges from large commercial operations to subsistence hunting by indigenous peoples, with very different welfare and ethical contexts.

Key Facts

Canada's commercial harp seal hunt kills 250,000-400,000 seals annually
The EU ban on seal products (2009) significantly reduced commercial hunt demand
Indigenous subsistence seal hunting by Inuit peoples is excluded from most welfare campaigns
Hakapik clubs can provide instantaneous death when used correctly but often do not
The IFAW estimates 42% of seals in Canadian hunts show signs of being skinned alive

Welfare Considerations

Commercial seal hunting at scale involves inadequate assessment of killing effectiveness, with multiple studies documenting seals being skinned while still conscious. Hakapik clubs require significant skill to produce instantaneous death; on moving platforms at sea, effective killing is difficult to ensure. The distinction between commercial and indigenous subsistence hunting is important: the former involves industrial-scale killing for profit while the latter provides food security for communities with few alternatives.

What You Can Do

Support the EU seal products ban and campaigns to extend it
Oppose commercial seal hunting while respecting indigenous subsistence rights
Donate to IFAW and HSI seal protection campaigns
Advocate for stricter monitoring of commercial seal hunt killing effectiveness
Boycott products from companies associated with commercial seal hunting