IFAW: Canada plans to kill 275,000 harp seal pups despite international outcry

(Ottawa, Canada – 11 March 2008) — Conservation and animal welfare groups, including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), have condemned Canada’s announced plans to kill 275,000 harp seals in this year’s commercial seal hunt, which is expected to start in a few weeks’ time.

The Canadian Government has once again decided to ignore scientific advice by setting the total allowable catch (TAC) for harp seals well above what the population can sustain, with experts appalled that the quota has been increased despite scientific evidence that the population is in decline.

“The blatant disregard for precautionary principles demonstrates to the world that the Canadian government does not value science or conservation,” said Sheryl Fink, a senior researcher with IFAW.

Experts with IFAW maintain that the government’s unwillingness to seriously reduce the TAC is not only irresponsible, but downright reckless given the recent history of unsustainable catches, poor ice conditions and increased pup mortality.

“Just last year, hundreds of thousands of newborn pups in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence died due to lack of ice before the hunt even began,” said Fink. “And now with this exceedingly high quota, this same harp seal population will face another year of decline.”

In the last year, an international groundswell of opposition to this hunt has brought about national bans on seal products in Belgium and The Netherlands. Similar bans designed to close down markets for seal pelts are currently under consideration in Germany, Italy and Austria.

Amid the European trade ban discussions the international demand for seal fur has diminished considerably and pelt prices have dropped by almost half.

“All recent evidence indicates that the market for seal fur is saturated. There is no place for pelts to go, even at reduced prices,” said Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW. “This annual slaughter is carried out to provide fur products for the fashion industry that nobody needs in this day and age. A growing number of countries in Europe have introduced or are seeking a ban, sending a very clear message to Canada that Europe wants no part in this inherently cruel trade.”

Canada’s commercial seal hunt continues to be the world’s largest hunt for marine mammals today. Last year over 224,000 seals were killed, 98.5% of which were pups under three months old.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Canada’s Department of Fisheries of Ocean (DFO) set the TAC for last year’s hunt at 270,000.

IFAW monitors will be documenting this year’s hunt off the Eastern Coast of Canada, which is due to start at the end of March.

To learn more about IFAW’s efforts to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt, visit www.stopthesealhunt.org today.