How many seals are harvested each year?
Harvest levels are highly variable and dependent on environmental and market conditions. Harp seals: In 2009, 74,581 harp seals were harvested, compared to 217, 857 in 2008, and 224,745 in 2007. Hooded Seals: Fewer than 400 hooded seals have been harvested annually in Canada since 1999. There were 10 in 2009. Grey Seals: In 2009, 254 grey seals were harvested, compared to 1,472 in 2008 and 887 in 2007.
Harvest levels are highly variable and dependent on environmental and market conditions. Harp seals: In 2010, 67,327 harp seals were harvested , compared to 74,581 in 2009, and 217, 857 in 2008. Hooded Seals: Fewer than 400 hooded seals have been harvested annually in Canada since 1999. There were 10 in 2009. Grey Seals: In 2010, 7 grey seals were harvested, compared to 254 in 2009, and 1,472 in 2008. A combination of factors contributed to the relatively low turnout in 2010, most notably the extraordinary ice conditions which made access to seal patches extremely difficult in certain areas, especially in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Lower prices and relatively limited demand by processors, driven in large part by economic considerations such as the global economic downturn, the higher Canadian dollar, and ongoing market uncertainty resulting from the proposed trade ban in the European Union, were also important factors.
