“For the second year in a row the commercial seal hunt has required a financial bailout from the Newfoundland government. The reality is that over 15 years of government subsidies, resulting in the waste of tens of millions of dollars, have failed to create a viable sealing industry. This is not some short-term marketing challenge; the fact is that in the 21st century, seal products are unnecessary and, increasingly, unwanted” said Sheryl Fink, Director of IFAW’s Seal Campaign.
In 2012, the landed value of the commercial seal hunt was $1.6 million CAD, yet required $2 million in government support in order to proceed. A $3.6 million loan was granted to the sealing industry yet again this year in the face of deep cuts to other industries in Newfoundland and Labrador, including $4 million from tourism and 1200 government jobs.
Although the hunt is opening in the absence of an allowable catch or quota, market demand for seal products remains poor and there may be little interest in this year’s hunt from sealers. Although the sealing industry claims there is demand for up to 100,000 seal pelts this year, the price being offered to sealers is expected to only be about $25 per skin. According to observer reports, only 26 boats hailed out on opening day.
“For a government to prioritize financial support to a poorly-paying, increasingly obsolete industry while cutting thousands of jobs in other important areas, just doesn’t make economic sense” said Fink. “If the funds currently being used in a futile attempt to keep this dying industry alive were redirected to provide financial alternatives to help sealers to get out of the sealing business, it would be a far better use of taxpayers’ dollars” concluded Fink.
The Numbers (i)
| Number of commercial sealing licenses | 14,000 |
| Number of sealers who participated in 2012 commercial seal hunt | 763 |
| Number of companies who process seals in Newfoundland | 1 |
| Landed value of seal pelts, meat and oil in 2012 | $1.63 million |
| Annual cost for Department of Fisheries and Oceans to monitor the hunt(ii) | $1 million |
| Cost to fight the EU ban on seal products at the WTO(iii) | $10 million |
| Cost to tourism, other trade areas and Canada’s reputation | Unknown, but likely significant |
(i) Unless otherwise indicated, source is Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ 2011-2015 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Seals.
(ii) Estimate based on information received through Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP).
(iii) Estimate based on McCarthy Tetrault trade lawyer Simon Potter, published in the Globe and Mail, 28 July 2009.
YOU CAN HELP:
Please contact your Member of Parliament to voice your opposition to Canada’s seal hunt.
You can also contact:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2
pm@pm.gc.ca
About IFAW
IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) was established in 1969 and its founding campaign was in opposition to Canada’s commercial seal hunt. IFAW has more than 40 years of experience raising awareness, documenting and opposing the cruel commercial hunts for seals in Canada and around the world.
