Wildlife

Seal Pup Hunt Welfare

Commercial seal hunting, particularly in Canada, raises significant welfare concerns about the killing methods and welfare assessment of pups during hunts.

Key Facts

Canada's harp seal hunt is one of the largest marine mammal hunts globally
Seals are primarily killed by clubbing or shooting
Welfare assessment studies have raised concerns about the proportion of seals not rendered fully unconscious before skinning
Markets for seal products have been significantly restricted by EU import bans

Welfare Considerations

Seal hunts raise serious welfare concerns about the reliability of killing methods and the proportion of seals that may be conscious during skinning. The speed required during commercial hunts creates pressure that compromises careful welfare assessment. EU import bans have significantly reduced commercial incentives for seal hunting.

What You Can Do

Support EU and other seal product import restrictions
Avoid purchasing seal products including fur and oil
Support research into welfare monitoring in commercial seal hunts
Advocate for elimination of commercial seal hunting through diplomatic channels