The Atlantic Seal Hunt

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea aims to examine the seal hunting and the decline of cod stock in Newfoundland and Labrador. As cod face imminent biological distinct, the government officials and the DFO blame the grey seals for the decline of the cod stocks and its failure to

Contemporary dishes like seal flipper pie have also contributed to the cultural identity of Newfoundland society. As a result of these strong cultural ties, commercial and subsistence sealing continues to exist through legal policy by demand from both government and society. The policies that govern seal hunting are based on a sustained yield principle that does not compromise the harvest for future generations, and are thus in accordance with sustainable aspects of resource development.

The leopard seal is one of six species of seals in the Antarctic. They can get up to 1230 pounds and fall anywhere between eight and twelve feet long. These large muscular animals have dark grey backs, and spots scattered among their light grey stomachs and throat. They get their name, “leopard seal”, from their impressively long sharp carnivore like teeth. Although their front teeth are sharp, their back teeth lock together to help them catch krill. Their appetite mainly consists of penguins, fish, squid, and krill, though they will prey on other seals. Although the leopard seal is considered the most ferocious seal in Antarctica, they will play with the penguins in a friendly manner. When they are not playing with the penguin they will grab

“ The story of the whale is so remarkable, that were there not so many witnesses, I would not venture to tell it, lest I be accused of exaggeration.”

The most important thing to a harbor seals survival is its habitat, which determines shelter, adaptations, evolution, and the type of food available. Harbor seals live in shallow waters of coastal areas, sandy beaches, rocky islands, mudflats, and bays.

The problem with plastic ending up in the ocean is that marine life is being harmed by the presence of it. A study done on the harbor seals in the Netherlands found that more than 12% had plastic in the digestive system (California Coastal Commission). The list of affected species indicates that marine debris is affecting a significant number of species. It affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species (Save our shores). The problem is underestimated because the marine life that ingests plastic or dies from entanglement often goes undiscovered due to the vastness of the ocean, as they either sink or are eaten by predators before they are discovered (Plastic Debris). The potential harm from ingestion of plastics is not restricted to seabirds. Plastic bags drifting on ocean currents resemble the prey of turtles. There is evidence that their survival is being hindered by plastic debris with young sea turtles being vulnerable (Ocean pollution). Over the past 20 years polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have polluted marine food webs at an increasing rate, and are prevalent in seabirds. Though their adverse effects may not always be apparent, PCBs lead to reproductive disorders, increase the risk of disease and alter hormone levels. These chemicals have a detrimental effect on marine organisms even at very low levels and plastic pellets could be a route for PCBs into marine food

The Phocidae family consists of 29 existing species of earless seal that have been left from the initial 40. Out of this moderately sized group, we will be looking at the Hawaiian monk seal, Southern elephant seal, and the Crabeater seal.

One specific hunt those organizations are trying to stop is the Canadian seal hunt or “Canadian seal slaughter” (Harpseals.org, n.d.) which is held between November 15th to May 15th every year in Canada. There are Thirteen species of seals that inhabit the waters of North America but two are mainly hunted, the harp seal and hooded seal, and more specifically baby harp seals between 3 weeks to 3 months, mainly for their pelt which sheds after that. Found Archaeological evidence reveals that the indigenous people of eastern Canada hunted seal for at least 4000 years. when the first Europeans arrived in the early 16th century, they began hunting seals, they began with hunting the walrus which lived along the Gulf of St Lawrence and the north shore

Every year in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Northern Atlantic Ocean, three Canadian seal populations are opened for commercial hunting. Since the 1750s, hooded seals, grey seals and iconic harp seals have been hunted for their valuable pelts and omega-3 rich oil. After being nearly hunted to extinction in the 1800s and a period of extensive anti-hunt activism in the 1960s and 70s, the hunt has become strictly regulated. Now, activism has forced the Atlantic Seal Hunt to support and maintain standards of sustainable resource harvesting and humaneness, and this hunt now has the potential to be a role model in these areas for other similar hunts worldwide.

Trevor Holliday the Northern Ontario Party leader, states that we have been hearing the same stories from the Ministry for years, we have less people fishing and hunting than ever before, but our moose population continues to decline, and the fishing limits continue to drop, it doesn’t make sense. The only things that seem to have increased in population over the years is our black bears and wolves. If you or I have had this success rate with our employment, we would be looking for another

Inuit communities are exempted from seal product restrictions and are allowed to hunt up to 400,000 seals ( a quota set by the government)

This creature is known as a harbor seal and was found on October 23rd, 1805 near the Columbia river, 100 miles away from the Pacific Ocean. and found in fresh water. They are also known to be found on the coast of California, they are often found laying on rocks on sandy beaches.

Over a century ago the elephant seal population on Macquarie Island survived a period of severe over-harvesting. The practice of hunting seals for food, oil and skins had a high demand in the market and was largely carried out by Sydney based gangs (Bradshaw et al, 2003). During the early 1900’s Macquarie Island was declared a nature reserve and the hunting of seals came to a halt. After cessation of sealing, the population of the elephant seal increased but is still recovering. Over the years, a notable decline in the population has been

On 2nd of July, 1992, the Canadian government imposed a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery along the country's east coast.

The International Fund for Animal welfare was discussed in the documentary as they have tried to shine a negative light on the practicing of sealing. Their aim was to show the sealers as oppressing the seals and asserting their dominance over a weaker species. Which raises the idea of what socially and culture is defined as okay to be used as food and what is not. The sealers made it known that the seal are used as a source of food and that they are not just clubbing seals for sport. During the documentary it said that the seals were killed in a manner no different that of which you would see in a slaughter house. So why can cows, pigs and chickens be slaughtered to eat but not seals?