The following article first appeared in Modern Trapper Magazine, and is reproduced with permission of the author and the Seals and Sealing Network, which republished it in December 2007.
Seals: We hunt them for many reasons
By Gord Casey
The Sealing Industry within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has, on many occasions over the past 25-30 years, received much unwanted and negative press. Quite often, misinformation portrayed in the media is being expressed by people looking for "the bad" in all "the good" we do.
If two to three hundred animals of any species are being harvested (in this case seals, both shot and batted) in a single day, one is sure to find, especially if they are out to stop this so-called "barbaric way of life", an incident where one or two of the animals may suffer for a few seconds before they die.
There are even individuals, though they are few and far between, who may not properly ensure a quick and humane kill of the animal. This, even though a rare occurrence, is the picture that animal rights activists' cameras most often capture and display to the public.
Sealers on the Island of Newfoundland and in Labrador, whom I've had the opportunity to hunt with, are not out to destroy the species. Every single one of those hunters is adamant about the importance of an accurate shot from the rifle or the necessity to apply three very quick blows of a hakapik to the skull.
Sealers in this province want to continue the sealing tradition for generations to come. They do not hunt seals inhumanly! The majority of sealers look for the quickest and most effective way to dispatch the animal. They do not wish to cause an animal to suffer.
Over the years, I've had many sealing trips, all of which stand out as very memorable experiences. However, none of those trips can top the trip of two springs ago when I traveled from Corner Brook to Port Au Choix on the Great Northern Peninsula to hunt seals with my good friend Larry, and his fishing partner, Bruce.
Difference between landsmen and offshore seal hunts in Newfoundland
The landsmen hunt involves smaller boats, 18-23 feet or so on average, and usually takes place close to land, up to about 12-15 miles from shore, sometimes much closer and sometimes further. Sealers generally return to shore each night.
The larger offshore hunt involves vessels between 35 and 65 feet, with greater participation in the close to 65 foot range. Vessels can often follow the seal herd and may travel upwards of 100 miles and often further. They are usually gone for several days and often a week or two. Both the landsmen and offshore are commercial hunts.
The long awaited trip to Port Au Choix had been in the plans for several weeks.
A phone call from Larry on Easter Sunday night indicated that wind and ice conditions for Monday were forecast as being favourable. Reports of seals were also positive. Most of the seals were now into the "beater" stage of their molt. This would secure top price for pelts harvested. Upon arriving in Port Au Choix at 5:00 a.m. the following morning, Larry and Bruce were in the bottom of the cove ready to board Larry's 23' fibreglass boat. Winds were light, blowing from a westerly direction. The steam from Gargamelle Cove out past the historical and picturesque Point Riche, through open water eight or so miles to the edge of the ice, revealed a large number of individual beaters and bedlamers. Our intent, however, was to hunt within the ice pack. Seals are much easier to hunt and to retrieve on large pans of ice.
Soon after reaching the ice and finding open water within the flows, we spotted a large scull of old harps (easily exceeding 2-3 hundred animals). They obviously were in pursuit of food, the delicious codfish. By the way, on that particular day, we spotted two lonely gulls and several hundred old harps, beaters and bedlamers. I've often wondered since then if the two gulls were there that day feeding on their own, or if those fish-eating mammals, the seals, were in some way assisting the gulls with their feeding endeavours? You can decide for yourself on the answer to that question.
Profile: Gord Casey
Where do you live?
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, but I’m originally from Conche, a rural community located on the northeast coast of the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland.
What is your occupation?
I have taught Junior High for the past 26 years. Currently, I teach in Benoit’s Cove, which is about a 20-minute drive from Corner Brook.
How long have you been hunting, fishing, and sealing?
I’ve been involved in different aspects of all these for as long as I can remember. I’ve also been trapping for 20 or so years.
How often do you hunt for seals?
Due to my regular full-time work, and as a result of conflicts between my work schedule and the opening and closing dates for the hunt, I hunt seals part-time when the opportunity allows me to do so. Most years, I get to take part in the hunt at some time during the season. I've always hunted seals from an open 20-23 foot boat either aboard a partner's vessel or along with my two sons using our family 24' open fiberglass boat.
Why do you hunt seals?
I take part in this activity for many reasons. It is what I've always known; it's part of my heritage; seal meat is a staple food in our home; to supplement my income; to pass along a tradition to my offspring and to help keep a way of life alive as we've always known it to be.
Anything you would like us to know?
I have always had a keen interest and have been involved in many aspects of outdoor life, both consumptive and non-consumptive activities. As well, I am interested in helping to preserve traditional ways of life so that this way of life is available for future generations.
Larry and Bruce are ‘professional' fishermen and sealers. Fishermen of their calibre are a great inspiration to a ‘rookie' like myself. Yes, I've hunted seals every opportunity I've had for the past 30 or so years. However, these two gentlemen, like many of our fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are a credit in preserving a dying way of life in this province.
The crystal blue waters of the Strait Of Belle Isle, with the long strings of ice jutting in and out of the main ice flow was a staggering sight indeed. Within the ‘thick ice' the maneuvering was very difficult. At times we wondered if the 50 hp Evinrude had the power and strength to part the large ice pans. The crunching and grinding of ice on the hull of the fibreglass boat was somewhat nerve-racking. Often, the boat would rise and rest on top of the ice, instead of penetrating the flow.
On this beautiful sunny and clear April day, seals were plentiful. The most difficult part of the hunt was forcing the boat through the ice to get within gunshot of the seals that were perched on "out-crops" deep within the pack ice. On many occasions, Larry's accuracy with his new Remington 222 rifle was somewhat astonishing. The boat, bouncing and knocking on and off the ridges of ice, did not seem to affect his accuracy. I, on the other hand, would only take the easy shots or jump to bat animals that were within a reasonable jaunt from the boat before they could scurry into the water. Throughout the day, there were many boats hunting seals in the area ... sixteen to eighteen miles west of Point Riche.
However, of the several hundred seals taken on that particular day, I witnessed none of those animals being harvested inhumanely. Respect for the animal was shown by all sealers.
On our trip home from the ice, steaming towards Point Riche, a strong southwesterly wind had picked up. The spray from the waters of the cold North Atlantic, into our faces, was a chilling experience indeed! Our boat, laden with sixty-five seal carcasses, pelts, and flippers was heavy and sluggish in the water. Bruce, who was controlling the motor and compass, had no problem navigating into the safe surroundings of Gargamelle Cove. Many a fisherman, including Bruce and Larry, have returned here to safety from the sea over the years. God forbid, we would be any different.
Needless to say, on my return trip to Corner Brook the following day, many a friend was quite satisfied with a fresh meal of young flipper. Seal meat, when cleaned and cooked properly, can be the equivalent of any prime rib or T-bone steak on the market. Many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can appreciate the taste and delicacy of such a treat.
This province is filled with fishermen and sealers like Larry and Bruce of Port Aux Choix. They hunt seals to supplement their families' income. I hunt seals to continue the tradition of family and friends, and to provide a food often considered by our family as ‘the delicacy of wild meat'.
Whether seals are harvested for their commercial products (pelts, meat or oils), or as a food source so often cherished by the people of our province, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we must make every attempt to support sealers in their efforts to maintain a harvest suitable to sustain a healthy population balance between seals and the other species within the ecosystem.
Larry and Bruce are examples of two fishermen who are doing their part, using humane harvesting techniques, to help balance the ecosystem in the waters surrounding our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
May the tradition continue!!!
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