as reindeer herders. For many, however, primary livelihoods were based on the sea.
Seal products can still be found on Sámi markets all over the traditional Sámi
homeland.
Norway has also been a major player in the international hunt for seals in other
regions of the North Atlantic. It has conducted sealing predominantly at Jan Mayen
Island east of Greenland and in the Canadian Gulf of St Lawrence. Similarly,
Norwegian whaling has been an activity all over the North Atlantic. Although this
is the case, Norway is a member of the International Whaling Commission. Since it
has formally objected to the moratorium on commercial whaling, it is not bound
by it.
3.2.3 Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is part of the North Atlantic region and has become synonymous for
seal hunting. The island of Newfoundland is probably the most well-known region
for the seal hunt. Countless images of skinned seals, videos of brutally slaughtered
pups, and a discourse on cruelty, lack of necessity and ruthless exploitation has
shaped the view of many when linking Newfoundland to hunting seals. And indeed,
Newfoundland, part of the province of Newfoundland & Labrador, still sees ongoing
seal hunts today.
While these are large-scale hunts, it can be easily forgotten that sealing has been a
part of Newfoundland’s history since the very early days of human settlement. When
the first indigenous peoples settled in Newfoundland and elsewhere in Atlantic
Canada, seals were hunted, used and consumed. It is therefore by no means a recent
activity. When European colonisation occurred, seals were hunted to sustain the
early settlements that sprung up as part of the exploitation of the abundant cod stocks
for the European markets. Seals were so abundant that some time in the eighteenth
century they were found to be a cheap alternative to whales since also seals could be
used to produce oil. In 1793 it is reported that the first vessel left Newfoundland
exclusively for the pursuit of seals. From then on, seals became one of the most
important mainstays of the newly emerging economy of Newfoundland, leading to
extremely large numbers of seals being taken during the nineteenth century. With the
discovery of hydrocarbon fuels, the markets for seals (and whales) collapsed.
Apart from the economic value, are an integral part of Atlantic Canadian culture
and identity. All over Newfoundland and the French-speaking Magdalen Islands in
Québec, references to seals and the seal hunt can be found while a rich repertoire of
seal hunt-related songs and poems exists.
8 Similarly, seal meat is still a common
feature in the cuisine of Atlantic Canada: the traditional seal flipper pie as well as a
modern, exquisite culinary landscape are prevalent. Moreover, for some
communities along the coast, the sea with all its living resources has become an
integral part of identity. The pride and awe to be part of a sea-faring social system
8 Ryan and Small (1978).
44
3 Marine Mammals and Humans
Seal products can still be found on Sámi markets all over the traditional Sámi
homeland.
Norway has also been a major player in the international hunt for seals in other
regions of the North Atlantic. It has conducted sealing predominantly at Jan Mayen
Island east of Greenland and in the Canadian Gulf of St Lawrence. Similarly,
Norwegian whaling has been an activity all over the North Atlantic. Although this
is the case, Norway is a member of the International Whaling Commission. Since it
has formally objected to the moratorium on commercial whaling, it is not bound
by it.
3.2.3 Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is part of the North Atlantic region and has become synonymous for
seal hunting. The island of Newfoundland is probably the most well-known region
for the seal hunt. Countless images of skinned seals, videos of brutally slaughtered
pups, and a discourse on cruelty, lack of necessity and ruthless exploitation has
shaped the view of many when linking Newfoundland to hunting seals. And indeed,
Newfoundland, part of the province of Newfoundland & Labrador, still sees ongoing
seal hunts today.
While these are large-scale hunts, it can be easily forgotten that sealing has been a
part of Newfoundland’s history since the very early days of human settlement. When
the first indigenous peoples settled in Newfoundland and elsewhere in Atlantic
Canada, seals were hunted, used and consumed. It is therefore by no means a recent
activity. When European colonisation occurred, seals were hunted to sustain the
early settlements that sprung up as part of the exploitation of the abundant cod stocks
for the European markets. Seals were so abundant that some time in the eighteenth
century they were found to be a cheap alternative to whales since also seals could be
used to produce oil. In 1793 it is reported that the first vessel left Newfoundland
exclusively for the pursuit of seals. From then on, seals became one of the most
important mainstays of the newly emerging economy of Newfoundland, leading to
extremely large numbers of seals being taken during the nineteenth century. With the
discovery of hydrocarbon fuels, the markets for seals (and whales) collapsed.
Apart from the economic value, are an integral part of Atlantic Canadian culture
and identity. All over Newfoundland and the French-speaking Magdalen Islands in
Québec, references to seals and the seal hunt can be found while a rich repertoire of
seal hunt-related songs and poems exists.
8 Similarly, seal meat is still a common
feature in the cuisine of Atlantic Canada: the traditional seal flipper pie as well as a
modern, exquisite culinary landscape are prevalent. Moreover, for some
communities along the coast, the sea with all its living resources has become an
integral part of identity. The pride and awe to be part of a sea-faring social system
8 Ryan and Small (1978).
44
3 Marine Mammals and Humans