Seal impacts on cod recovery confirmed!
Harp seals are having a real impact on groundfish recovery, and it’s time for balanced ocean management. Read the full study: CLICK HERE.
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A small sample of the over 4.4 Million Harp Seals
This video shows a small sample of the estimated 4.4 million harp seals of the Northwest Atlantic. The footage was taken in April 2022 off the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland, just south of the Horse Islands, NL, Canada.
Sustainability & Ecosystem Balance
Canada’s fish stocks are declining, and our commercially important fisheries are under pressure as a result. Losing these vital ocean resources doesn’t just affect our coastal communities. It affects every Canadian.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study found that, from 2018 to 2020, harp seals in Newfoundland and Labrador consumed 24 times more biomass of exploited fish species than was harvested by fisheries. Predation mortality caused by harp seals was also 17 times higher than fishing mortality. Harp seals have a greaterimpactthan fisheries on the stalled cod recovery in Newfoundland and Labrador https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m772p215.pdf
Controlling seal populations is one way we can help fish stocks rebound. In turn, healthier fish stocks support our fisheries and ocean economy, which contribute over $51.9 billion to GDP and support 420,206 direct, indirect and induced jobs. Direct, indirect and induced employment by sector, 2024 https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/maritime/tab/mar-tab4-eng.htm
Abundant Populations
The latest estimates for seal populations found in Canada:
- Harp seal: 4.4 million Harp seals have a greaterimpactthan fisheries on the stalled cod recovery in Newfoundland and Labrador https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m772p215.pdf
- Grey seal: 424,300 Grey Seal https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/greyseal-phoquesgris-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: 2.3 million Ringed Seal https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/consultation-documents/ringed-seal-2023.html
- 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 for Harp Seals
DFO has not established formal Total Allowable Catches for Atlantic seals since 2016. Harvest levels are now monitored against science-based sustainable harvest advice.
In 2025, approximately 16,900 harp seals were harvested, representing about 7% of the sustainable harvest level. Approximately 1,200 grey seals were harvested, representing about 2% of the sustainable harvest level. Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/transparency-transparence/briefing-breffage/2025/supplementary-estimates-b-budget-supplementaire-b-eng.html
Quick Facts
Canada’s seal harvest remains well below sustainable harvest levels, while seal populations remain abundant.
7.1 MILLION
Combined estimated population of harp, grey and ringed seals in Canadian and adjacent waters
24 times
Harp seals consumed 24 times more biomass of exploited fish species than fisheries
< 7%
Proportion of the sustainable harp seal harvest level taken in 2025
Canada Does Not Harvest Seal Pups!
The commercial harvest of whitecoat harp seal pups and blueback hooded seal pups has been prohibited in Canada since 1987. Harp seals cannot be commercially harvested until they have begun to moult their white coats and are living independently. Hooded seals cannot be harvested while they retain their juvenile blueback coats and generally cannot be legally harvested until they are two to three years old. Canada’s commercial seal harvest therefore does not target newborn or dependent seal pups, despite the images commonly used in anti-sealing campaigns.
How much do seals eat?
- The harp seal population is estimated at over 4.4 Million.
- The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans estimates the average adult seal eats 1.5-2 tons of fish per year.The Sustainable Management of Grey Seal Populations: A Path Toward the Recovery if Cod and Other Groundfish Stocks, Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Oct. 2012 http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/pofo/rep/rep07oct12-e.pdf
- A study by Polar Research estimated an even bigger number of 2.99 tons/year.The 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. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3402/polar.v10i2.6771
- This equates to millions of tons of fish and seafood consumed by seals each year.
Benefits to the Fishing Industry
The Canadian seal population eats over 24 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. LINK
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.
GREY SEAL PREDATION
Atlantic cod
Grey seal predation identified as the main cause of elevated natural mortality.Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)NAFO Divisions 4T and 4Vn https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/ifmp-gmp/cod-morue/2024/cod-4TVn-morue-eng.html
White hake
Adult natural mortality: up to 86% annually for ages 4–5. White hake, Urophycis tenuis – NAFO Division 4T https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/ifmp-gmp/groundfish-poisson-fond/2025/white-hake-merluche-blanche-2025-eng.html
American plaice
Grey seal predation identified as a major component of the greatest threat to rebuilding. American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) – NAFO Division 4T https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/ifmp-gmp/groundfish-poisson-fond/american-plaice-plie-canadienne-eng.html
Yellowtail flounder
0 fishing mortality since 2023, yet the stock remained at only 32% of its Limit Reference Point in 2025. NAFO DIVISION 4T YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER (MYZOPSETTA FERRUGINEA): STOCK ASSESSMENT IN 2025 AND REBUILDING PLAN SCIENTIFIC REQUIREMENTS https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41331849.pdf
Smarter Seafood Certified
Harp and Grey seals are part of the LIST of the 41 marine species that are valued by “Smarter Seafood” eco-guide, created to enable the sustainable development of the St. Lawrence.
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Seal Stats
None of Canada’s seal species are endangered
- 33 seal species worldwide
- 6 seal species in Canadian waters
- 4 species are commercially harvested in Canada — Harp, grey, hooded, and ringed seals.
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Download our brochure
We bring together Canada’s sealing industry harvesters, processors, manufacturers, retailers and Indigenous peoples of Canada to promote and market high quality and sustainable Canadian Seal Products. You can learn more about our mission and the industry in our brochure.
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Also
Culture & Livelihood
Sealing is a vital activity for ten of thousands of rural Canadians throughout the country. Seal hunt sustains northern and coastal communities nutritionally, culturally and economically.
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Humane & Professional
Canada’s world-leading animal welfare standards, codes of practice, training and licensing programs ensure human harvesting and the highest quality products.
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Many national and international conservation organizations have established that seal populations in Canada are healthy and abundant.
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