Canadian seal hunt experiences a dramatic drop in number of seals harvested this year

September 16th, 2009 Activists dressed as seals arrested at embassyWASHINGTON — Three animal rights activists protesting seal hunting have been arrested in front of the Canadian embassy in Washington. U.S. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan says officers arrested three members of PETA Wednesday morning on charges of disorderly conduct, unlawful assembly and failure to obey.

August 6th, 2009 Man indicted in death of Hawaiian monk sealHONOLULU — A federal grand jury has indicted a 78-year-old Kauai man in the shooting death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in May. The indictment was returned Wednesday against Charles Vidinha, who is charged with violating the Endangered Species Act.

July 27th, 2009 EU gives final OK to seal product banBRUSSELS — European Union nations gave their final approval Monday to a ban on imports of seal products in an effort to force Canada to end its annual seal hunt. A majority of the EU's 27 member states see the way Canada conducts its hunt, the world's largest, as inhumane.

July 23rd, 2009 Calif. judge stays order to remove seals from coveSAN DIEGO — A judge on Thursday delayed an order to remove federally protected harbor seals from a La Jolla cove, minutes before a deadline expired that would have required city officials to begin dispersing the seal colony. Superior Court Judge Yuri Hofmann earlier this week gave the city 72 hours to start the removal from the Children's Pool in La Jolla.

July 21st, 2009 Popular San Diego seals win reprieve from governorSAN DIEGO — A colony of federally protected harbor seals is causing a stink about whether it should spend its days lounging at a popular San Diego cove or be sent packing. On Monday, Gov.

July 6th, 2009 Namibian seal hunt to go on, 90,000 to be clubbedJOHANNESBURG — Namibia's annual commercial seal hunt will go on despite objections by animal welfare groups, a government official said Monday. Frans Tsheehama of the Namibian fisheries and marine resources ministry said that the season started on July 1 and will run until Nov.

June 18th, 2009 Number of kills in Canadian seal hunt dropsTORONTO — The global recession, plummeting pelt prices and the prospect of a European ban on seal products dramatically lowered the number of seals killed in this year's hunt, Canadian officials said Thursday. About 70,000 harp seals were hunted this year out of a commercial quota of 273,000 animals, said Fisheries and Oceans Canada spokesman Scott Cantin.

June 12th, 2009 Hawaiian Islands named habitat for endangered sealHONOLULU — The federal government on Friday will significantly expand the critical habitat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals to include beaches and waters of the main Hawaiian Islands, officials said. Environmentalists say the added habitat is needed to reverse the plight of the monk seals, which are among the most endangered marine mammals in the world with fewer than 1,200 remaining.

June 4th, 2009 Environmentalists plan suit to protect ice sealsANCHORAGE, Alaska — An environmental group plans to sue the federal government to force a decision on additional protections for Arctic seals. The Center for Biological Diversity said in a notice of intent to sue sent this week to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that it missed a deadline required by law for an endangered species listing decision on ringed, bearded and spotted seals.

May 27th, 2009 OTTAWA - Canada's Governor General Michaklle Jean gobbled a piece of raw seal meat this week. The event took place in the Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, where Jean indulged in the traditional feast, reports the Globe and Mail.

May 6th, 2009 EU, Canada start talks on free trade agreementPRAGUE — The European Union and Canada delayed the signing of a deal Wednesday to open their aviation markets to each other — for procedural reasons, an official said — as strains over a new EU ban on seal products intensified. The two sides also opened free trade negotiations and signed an air safety agreement.

May 6th, 2009 EU, Canada to sign deal to open aviation marketsPRAGUE — The European Union and Canada were expected to sign a deal Wednesday that would open their aviation markets to each other and begin free trade negotiations, despite strains over a new EU ban on seal products. The aviation deal is the EU's most far-reaching and open aviation pact with a trade partner and is meant to spur trans-Atlantic trade and competition.

May 5th, 2009 EU takes aim at Canada, bans seal productsSTRASBOURG, France — The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to ban imports of seal products, including fur coats and even some omega-3 pills, in an effort to force Canada to end its annual seal hunt, the world's largest. The Canadian government reacted sharply to the move, with Trade Minister Stockwell Day promising that Ottawa will challenge the ban and take the 27-nation bloc to the world trade body if the new law does not exempt Canada.

May 5th, 2009 EU Parliament passes import ban on seal productsSTRASBOURG, France — The European Parliament has passed a bill that will impose an import ban on seal products, a move meant to force an end to Canada's annual seal hunt, which is the world's largest. The bill says commercial seal hunting, notably in Canada, is "inherently inhumane." It passed the EU assembly by 550 to 49 votes on Tuesday.

May 5th, 2009 Canada to talk trade despite EU seal product banTORONTO — Canada's trade minister says a European Parliament ban of Canadian seal products won't prevent Canada and the EU from agreeing on a wide-ranging free-trade agreement. The European Parliament voted Tuesday to ban imports of seal products in an effort to force Canada to end its annual seal hunt.