Hunt Back Country

Seal Hunting. Should it be banned?

The seal hunt started a few days ago in Newfoundland. This years quota is 270,000 seals out of a seal population of 15 million. Seals are hunted not only for their fur but also the meat is eaten. Should seal hunting be banned completely? Is the quota too high or too low.

Public Comments

1. Of course! I saw a picture of a seal dead and it still had the hook going through it's neck. It was so sad. I don't understand what people get from killing innocent animals

2. Only if they ban all killing of all animals for any purpose. It's very hypocritical of some people to get upset about the killing of the cute little seals as they sit and eat their hamburgers and wear their leather shoes.
A seal, even an adorable baby seal, living its natural (although short) life in the wild still has it way better than the chicken living in an egg factory without even enough room to lay down and die.

3. I don not understand why people single out the seal. I do recognize that they are cute, however their pelts, meat, bones and tissues are all used. It is business. The Quota is spot on and completely sustainable.

The seal hunt is no different than any other hunt. Whether it be moose, deer, elk, bear, venison, etc. People hunt for food. People hunt for sport, people hunt for survival. Although I don't personally agree with the hunting for sport as long as they play within the quotas it isn't my call.

I don't think it should be banned (this coming from a vegetarian) It is the way of life, and livelihood for many. Just as the fisheries, just as livestock farming. It is unreasonable to single out one sector and say it is an abomination while still finding every other hunt, every other fishery, and every other farming practice completely acceptable.

4. Nah.

Sustainable farming should be encouraged worldwide. There is no reason why cuddly creatures should get an exemption.

Whale hunting is an affront in the eyes of the Lord though, and Japan should be torpedoed to the bottom of the Pacific for doing it. It is NOT sustainable.

5. The quota changes every year and it is based on the current population.
There are tight regulations including regulations against hunting seal pups and skinning alive. The seal hunt in Canada is the tightest regulated hunt of its kind in the world.

The Majority of seals are shot not killed with the hakipik.

I don't think the hunt should be banned it is no worse then farming or ranching.
Seal hunters are not the mindless murders depicted on the internet. They are just doing a job to support their families. There is alot more to the seal hunt then what is online.
If you have no issue with a hamburger you shouldn't have an issue with flipper pie.

6. I'm not sure if it should be banned....but they shouldn't kill them the way they do.

They cause them so much pain and torture. They can try to at least kill them humanely.