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IMPROVEMENTS TO SEAL HUNT MANAGEMENT MEASURES
1990s - present
- 2003 - It is made mandatory that a blinking
eye reflex test be performed in order to ensure that the seal is dead. In
addition, sealers must land the pelt and/or carcass of any seal taken
- 1996 - Due to a return in market demand
and plentiful resource, the
hunt becomes more significant and higher quotas are permitted.
- 1993 - The
Marine Mammal Regulations are adopted.
- As the hunt moves towards taking older, more developed seals, an amendment is made to the regulations to ensure proper gauge ammunition is being used.
- More stringent rules are put in place governing the means and tools to quickly render the animal unconscious.
- 1992 - The first seal hunt management plan
is created.
1980s
- 1989 - Conditions of licence are used to
apply the policy to prohibit the commercial hunt of whitecoat and blueback
seals, and the use of large vessels to hunt seals.
- 1987 - In accordance with the Malouf
Commission, a policy is adopted to prohibit both the hunt of whitecoat and
blueback seals for commercial purposes, and the use of vessels larger than
65 feet.
- 1986 - The Malouf Commission Report is
released which establishes future policy on the management of the hunt.
- 1985 - To minimize physical and
psychological distress, regulations specify the means and tools to quickly
render the animal unconscious and to verify that it is dead before being
handled and transported.
1970s
- 1978 - An amendment is made to the
regulations to allow the use of hakapiks in the Gulf, because this tool
is proven effective and humane.
- A clear definition of a dead seal is outlined in the regulations.
- An amendment is made to the allowable size of a club to make it more efficient and humane.
- 1977 - In an effort to keep order and good
management on the ice, observer permits are required by all who wish to
view the hunt.
- 1974 - The first quotas are set for hooded
seals.
- 1972 - A ban on the use of gaffs (pole with
large hook on the end) to kill seals is further assurance that the hunt is
being conducted in a humane manner.
- A precise regulation on size and weight requirements for clubs and hakapiks ensures that the animal is killed in a swift, humane fashion.
- 1971 - All vessels greater than 35 feet must
be licensed.
- The first harp seal quota of 245,000 animals is established.
- The Committee on Seals and Sealing (COSS) is created, an independent advisory committee which made recommendations until the 1990s to DFO regarding many aspects of the seal hunt.
1960s
- 1968 - In an effort to conduct a safe and
fair hunt, the use of aircraft for hunting seals is prohibited.
- 1966 - A ban on adult seal hunting in
whelping patches ensures the survival of pups.
- 1965 - The regulations give clear definition to humane killing.
- The Gulf of St. Lawrence is considered national waters and is closed to foreign vessels for seal hunting.
- A ban is placed on hooded seal-hunting in the Gulf of St. Lawrence due to the low number of hooded seals in this area.
- It becomes mandatory for all hunters to obtain and carry a seal hunting licence.
- A ban is placed on the use of longlines in the seal harvest because this method is not considered to be humane.
- As a strong measure to control quotas and humane killing, fishery officers are placed aboard all vessels greater than 65 ft. in length.
- In-port inspections are conducted by dockside monitors on a regular basis to validate landings data and ensure compliance with quota restrictions.
- 1964 - The first set of Seal Protection
Regulations is established.
