Wildlife

Seal Hunt Welfare and Policy

Commercial and subsistence seal hunting raises significant welfare concerns based on the killing methods used.

Key Facts

The EU, US, and Russia have banned commercial seal product imports
Hakapik clubbing can kill seals instantly but skull confirmation requires skill
A Canadian veterinary report found 40% of seals were inadequately stunned
Indigenous subsistence hunting is treated differently from commercial operations

Welfare Considerations

Seal hunting welfare depends entirely on the skill and care with which it is conducted. Commercial seal hunts operating at speed often fail to confirm death before skinning, with reports of live skinning. The EU import ban has significantly reduced commercial hunting. Indigenous subsistence hunting involves different scales and cultural contexts. Welfare assessment must distinguish these contexts carefully.

What You Can Do

Support EU seal product import bans and their maintenance
Advocate for welfare monitoring requirements at commercial seal hunt operations
Respect Indigenous subsistence hunting rights while supporting welfare improvements
Support economic alternatives for communities historically dependent on seal hunting