The Canadian government has provided no evidence that killing seals will help fish stocks recover, and some scientists have expressed concern that culling seals may actually be detrimental to the recovery of cod stocks. As found in a study, Human overfishing caused the collapse of groundfish stocks, and human overfishing is preventing their return.
Seals, like all marine mammals, are a vital part of the ecosystem of the northwest Atlantic and help all fish populations to thrive. Moreover, harp seals are opportunistic feeders, consuming small amounts of many species. While commercially fished cod stocks may account for about 3 percent of their diets, harp seals also consume many significant predators of cod, including squid. Even the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans admits that there is no evidence killing seals will help bring fish stocks back—and their latest research shows the opposite may be the case.
Seals, like all marine mammals, are a vital part of the ecosystem of the northwest Atlantic and help all fish populations to thrive. Moreover, harp seals are opportunistic feeders, consuming small amounts of many species. While commercially fished cod stocks may account for about 3 percent of their diets, harp seals also consume many significant predators of cod, including squid. Even the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans admits that there is no evidence killing seals will help bring fish stocks back—and their latest research shows the opposite may be the case.
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