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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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