Another reason for Sammich NOT to ever become an IA moderator. ever.

[Catnip]

Seal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals for their pelts and blubber. The hunt is practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, as well as Namibia, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. Canada's largest market for seals is Norway (through GC Rieber AS).[2]

Harp seal populations in the northwest Atlantic declined to approximately 2 million in the early 1970s, prompting stronger regulations on seal hunting. As a result of these regulations, the harp seal population in this area increased steadily since then until the mid 1990's, and was estimated at 5.9 million (between 4.6 and 7.2 million) in 2004.[3] Harp seals have never been considered endangered; the Marine Animal Response Society estimates the harp seal population in the world is approximately 8 million (between 6.4 and 9.5 million).[4]

As a result of population concerns, hunting is now controlled by quotas based on recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES),[5] and in 2007, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) set the "total allowable catch" (TAC) of harp seals at 270,000 per year.[6] When compared to other seal hunts the Canadian harp seal hunt is by far the largest. The 2007 catch was 234,000 seals, down from 354,000 the year before. According to data gathered by the European Food Safety Authority,[7] Norway claimed only 29,000 with Russia and Greenland landing 5,476 and 90,000 respectively.

It is illegal in Canada to hunt harp seal pups (known as whitecoats) or young, hooded seals (bluebacks). When the seal pups begin to molt at the age of 12–14 days, they are called ragged-jacket and can be commercially hunted.[8] After molting, the seals are called beaters, named for the way they beat the water with their flippers. [9] The practice remains highly controversial, attracting significant media coverage and protests each year.[10] Images from the hunts have become iconic symbols for conservation, animal welfare, and animal rights advocates.

On May 5, 2009, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly (550 votes to 49) to endorse a bill banning the import of seal products.[11] The bill described commercial seal hunting "inherently inhumane", particularly in Canada, drawing negative responses from the Canadian government.[11] The bill did not mention or refer to any metrics that quantify the Canadian seal hunt as being any more inhumane than the accepted, legal slaughter of animals in the EU. Billions of animals are slaughtered annually in the EU for food, fur[12], and entertainment[13]. The ban would still allow trade in seal products derived from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which contribute to their subsistence.[11] The exemption was denounced by the Inuit, with Ajau Peter of Iqaluit saying "I saw that they didn't have all the facts, they were not informed about our concerns."[14]

[DJ Maestro]

Seal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals for their pelts and blubber. The hunt is practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, as well as Namibia, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. Canada's largest market for seals is Norway (through GC Rieber AS).[2]

Harp seal populations in the northwest Atlantic declined to approximately 2 million in the early 1970s, prompting stronger regulations on seal hunting. As a result of these regulations, the harp seal population in this area increased steadily since then until the mid 1990's, and was estimated at 5.9 million (between 4.6 and 7.2 million) in 2004.[3] Harp seals have never been considered endangered; the Marine Animal Response Society estimates the harp seal population in the world is approximately 8 million (between 6.4 and 9.5 million).[4]

As a result of population concerns, hunting is now controlled by quotas based on recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES),[5] and in 2007, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) set the "total allowable catch" (TAC) of harp seals at 270,000 per year.[6] When compared to other seal hunts the Canadian harp seal hunt is by far the largest. The 2007 catch was 234,000 seals, down from 354,000 the year before. According to data gathered by the European Food Safety Authority,[7] Norway claimed only 29,000 with Russia and Greenland landing 5,476 and 90,000 respectively.

It is illegal in Canada to hunt harp seal pups (known as whitecoats) or young, hooded seals (bluebacks). When the seal pups begin to molt at the age of 12–14 days, they are called ragged-jacket and can be commercially hunted.[8] After molting, the seals are called beaters, named for the way they beat the water with their flippers. [9] The practice remains highly controversial, attracting significant media coverage and protests each year.[10] Images from the hunts have become iconic symbols for conservation, animal welfare, and animal rights advocates.

On May 5, 2009, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly (550 votes to 49) to endorse a bill banning the import of seal products.[11] The bill described commercial seal hunting "inherently inhumane", particularly in Canada, drawing negative responses from the Canadian government.[11] The bill did not mention or refer to any metrics that quantify the Canadian seal hunt as being any more inhumane than the accepted, legal slaughter of animals in the EU. Billions of animals are slaughtered annually in the EU for food, fur[12], and entertainment[13]. The ban would still allow trade in seal products derived from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which contribute to their subsistence.[11] The exemption was denounced by the Inuit, with Ajau Peter of Iqaluit saying "I saw that they didn't have all the facts, they were not informed about our concerns."[14]

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