Sustainability & Ecosystem

The latest estimates for seal populations found in Canada:

• Harp seal: 7.6 millionFisheries and Oceans Canada. Science Advisory Report 2020. 2019 Status of Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus. 2020-03-26 https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2020/2020_020-eng.html 
• Grey seal: 366,400Stock assessment of Northwest Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Canada in 2021. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2022/2022_018-eng.html
• Hooded seal: 593,000A Discussion of the Precautionary Approach and its Application to Atlantic Seals M.O. Hammill1 and G.B. Stenson. June 2013. https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/349398.pdfSeal Range State Policy and Management Review. D.H.M Cumming. ICUN. 2015. https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/SSC-OP-055.pdf
• Ringed seal: 1.5 millionRinged seals estimated size of the population is 2 million: COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Ringed Seal Pusa hispida in Canada. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2021/eccc/CW69-14-797-2020-eng.pdf
• Harbour seals: 100,000 British Columbia & 25,000 Atlantic CanadaAre There Too Many Harbor Seals in British Columbia? Brad Badel. Sept. 2018. https://hakaimagazine.com/news/are-there-too-many-harbor-seals-in-british-columbia/POPULATION ASSESSMENT PACIFIC HARBOUR SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA RICHARDSI). Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Government of Canada. January 2010. https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/338997.pdf Harbour Seal. Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Government of Canada. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/harbour-seal-phoque-commun-eng.html

Total Allowable Catch 2020

• Harp seals: 400,000Total Allowable Catch (TAC) numbers are set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and announced every March, prior to the opening of the season. Harp seal Total Allowable Capture: Current Status of Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.10, 2012. https://polarbearscience.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/2019-harp-seal-status_dfo-2020_march-020-eng.pdf 
• Grey seal: 77,300 Stock assessment of Northwest Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Canada in 2021. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2022/2022_018-eng.html

Seal populations are at the highest we’ve ever seen! Out of the 33 species of seal found worldwide, 6 of them can be found in Canada, and none are endangered.Identify a Species. Department of Fisheries and Oceans. March 2018. LINK / Note: Six species of seals – the harp, hooded, grey, ringed, bearded and harbour – are found off the Atlantic coast of Canada, although ringed and bearded seals are typically Arctic species. However, some science include the Northern Elephant seal specie in British Columbia increasing the number to 7 species of Phocidae. If we include Otariidae, Phocidae and Odobenidae, there are a total of 11 species present in Canadian waters: Northern Fur Seal, Northern Sea Lion, California Sea Lion, Hooded Seal, Bearded Seal, Grey Seal, Northern Elephant Seal, Harp Seal, Harbor Seal, Ringed Seal and Walrus. In fact, Canada’s total seal population is estimated at more than ten million, the largest number ever observed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.Here is how the 10 Million is calculated:
Harp Seal: 7.6 million. Science Advisory Report 2020/020, Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Government of Canada. LINK, IUCN Redlist, specie of least concern LINK.
Grey Seal: 366,400. Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Science Advisory Report 2022/018, Stock assessment of Northwest Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Canada in 2021, June 2022. LINK
Hooded Seal: 593,000 LINK, LINK.
Ringed Seal: 2 million LINK.
Bearded Seal: 500,000 to 1 million across the Arctic LINK LINK.
Harbour Seal: 100,000 British Columbia and 25,000 Atlantic Canada LINK, LINK, LINK   
If we include these 6 species, this represents a total of approximately 11.5 Million seals. We keep a margin of error of 1.5 Million seals so we can confirm with confidence a population of at least 10 Million.

The Canadian seal population eats over 53 times more fish than the entire Atlantic Canadian fishing fleet’s annual seafood harvest.Several studies have indicated the amount of fish eaten by harp seals. A study of harp seals by Polar Research estimated 7.4 kg/day for adult males and 9 kg/day for adult females, with females consuming more to support pregnancy and lactation. Assuming the population is half male and half female, that means an average seal eats 2.99 tons/year. LINKFacts: Ringed seal populations is estimated at 2.3 million. Ringed Seal (Pusa hispida): COSEWIC assessment and status report 2019. LINK Together with Harp Seal (7.6 million) LINK and grey seals (424,300) LINK, this represents over 10M population for these 3 species. Calculation: (7.4+9)/2 = average of 8.2KG per seal. 8.2*365 days per year = 2,993KG. 2,993KG x 10 million seals = 29,930,000,000. 29,930,000,000 (total KG of fish eaten by seals)/ 560,000,000 (harvested by the Atlantic fishing fleet) = 53 times.

The 2019 hunt alone saved our fishery $250 million in fish resources that would otherwise be consumed by seals.Approximately 32,000 harp seals were harvest in 2019. It is estimated that seals eat over 1.5 tons of fish per year. The value per tons of fish was at $5,200 in 2018. Source: 32,000 seals x 1.5 tons x $5,200 = $CAD 250 MILLION.

If the full quota was harvested, that value would be CAD$3.12 Billion.The annual quota is 400,0000 for harp seals. It is estimated that seals eat over 1.5 tons of fish per year. The value per tons of fish was at $5,200 in 2018. Source 400,000 seals x 1.5 tons x $5,200 = $CAD 3.12 BILLION.

• None of Canada’s seal species are endangered.
• Seal populations have grown to the largest number ever observed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
• DFO estimated the harp seal population in Newfoundland and Labrador has grown from 4,800,000 to 7,600,000 – an increase of nearly 60%.