Seal Hunt: RDP’s plan vs Ecologist’s concerns

At their manifesto launch in Ongwediva, the Rally for Democracy and Progress suggested reducing the seal population by half if elected. RDP presidential candidate Mike Kavekotora claimed this would double fisheries revenue and create 40,000 jobs. Ecologist Peter Cuningham reacts to the proposal.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the seal population stands at 1.6 million and is made up of 26 colonies. Moreover, the government allows an annual quota for the culling of 60,000 seal pups and 8,000 adult seal bulls. The seal harvest occurs across various colonies, including the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Adult bulls are typically shot, while seal pups are killed by striking their soft heads with wooden or metal clubs. Seal hunting is also practiced in eight other countries: the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.