We at SeaDNA get all kinds of questions about the seal industry. It remains, even today, one of the most needlessly controversial food industries on earth.

The simple fact is: the seal hunt is no different than any other wild game harvest. The Canadian government sets an annual quota, monitors and regulates the hunt, and ensures that any part of the animal used for human consumption is tested and safe. No company can operate outside of these parameters.

SeaDNA takes pride in ensuring best practices throughout our production chain; from our local hunters making the catch, to our meat and oil facilities bringing finished products into your home.

The Canadian seal industry has evolved. And now the discussion surrounding it is as well as truth replaces propaganda and stigma.

-> Listed below are facts about the industry. <-

THE NUMBERS

The current estimated Harp Seal population in the Northwest Atlantic: 7.4 million and growing.
The current estimated Grey Seal population in the Northwest Atlantic: 505, 000 and growing.
The Canadian seal herd is at its largest point in 30 years and is a SPECIES OF LEAST CONCERN by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Annual Canadian quota: Harp seals: 400,000 / Grey seal: 60,000.
Actual Canadian catch: 35,000 harp seals and 1,145 grey seal in 2015 / 66,800 harp seals and 1,612 grey seal in 2016.

Last year, less than 15% of the seal quota was harvested.

MONITORED AND ETHICAL HARVEST

The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) strictly monitors the annual harvest quota for Canadian seal herds.
DFO Enforcement tools include: aerial surveillance, satellite tracking of vessels, at-sea patrols and inspections, dock inspections.
It has been ILLEGAL for seal pups to be harvested in Canada since 1987. All seals harvested in Canada must be self reliant.
The responsible harvest of the growing seal herd is recognized as being important in maintaining eco-diversity. It’s estimated that each adult seal will eat 1.5 – 2.0 tonnes of fish and seafood in a single year.

It’s estimated that each adult seal will eat 1.5 – 2.0 tonnes of fish and seafood in a single year.

HEALTHY AND SAFE

All processing and refining facilities used by SeaDNA are certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada or The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).
All lots of SeaDNA oil are tested by an external laboratory for purity.
Meat and oil is well below the most stringent industry requirements for heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic and the World Health Organization’s limits for PCBs, dioxins and furans.

Our products are approved and certified by :