Statistics on the seal harvest
Get the latest facts and data on Canada’s seal harvest.
Number of licences issued
In 2016, there were approximately 9,710 commercial seal licence holders. Of those commercial licence holders, less that 1000 sealers were estimated as active.
Seal landings
Harp seals account for almost all the seals harvested commercially in Canada, followed by a small harvest of grey seals. The following table shows the total number of harp and grey seals harvested in Canada over the years. Note the numbers for harp seals are rounded to the closest thousand.
| Year | Harp Seals | Grey Seals |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 66,800 | 1,612 |
| 2015 | 35,000 | 1,145 |
| 2014 | 60,000 | 82 |
| 2013 | 98,000 | 111 |
| 2012 | 71,000 | 8 |
| 2011 | 38,000 | 195 |
| 2010 | 69,000 | 7 |
| 2009 | 77,000 | N/A |
| 2008 | 218,000 | N/A |
| 2007 | 225,000 | N/A |
| 2006 | 355,000 | N/A |
| 2005 | 324,000 | N/A |
| 2004 | 366,000 | N/A |
| 2003 | 290,000 | N/A |
| 2002 | 312,000 | N/A |
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