Sealing is inexorably tied to the human history of Antarctica; in fact, it was a sealer (the Russian, Thaddeus von Bellingshausen) who first discovered Antarctica in 1820. Antarctic sealing began at the end of the eighteenth century, and there have been times when it threatened the survival of these creatures especially the fur seal.  Sealers discovered a lot of land and most of the islands during their predatory raids. The discovery and raiding of these new territories almost caused the extinction of certain seal species. 

By 1907, consumers' willingness to pay a high price for its luxuriant fur had all but extirpated the Antarctic fur seal on South Georgia. Its numbers did not even begin to recover until 1956, but recovery is now considered nearly complete. But the fur seal was not the only target. With its depletion, hunters turned to the elephant seal for its blubber. Old school sealing came so close to wiping out the seals that it gradually became extinct itself.

In the years since, the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has provided some protection for seals south of sixty degrees south latitude. Within the framework of the ATS, there is a treaty dedicated to the regulation of sealing called the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS).  Within the ATS, there are also protections for seals under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Annex II of the Protocol provides special protections for fur and Ross seals, and strengthens the "Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora" (ATS Recommendations III-8 of 1964). With this Annex, the Protocol prohibits harmful interference with wildlife and the killing of any animals, including seals, without a permit.

The taking of Ross Seals , Elephant Seals, and Fur Seals  is completely banned, and the adult stock of Weddell Seals is completely protected in the breeding colonies on the fast ice. The Southern Ocean is divided into six zones and in the event of sealing taking place one of these would be closed each year in rotation. Three sealing reserves have been established - around the South Orkney Islands, the southwestern Ross Sea, and Edisto Inlet. 

Provision is made for special permits, exchange of information, future meting of the consultative parties, review of operations at regular intervals and for amendments to the convention. Scientific advice is provided by the SCAR Group of Specialist on Seals. This group also has the responsibility of coordinating data on the number of seals killed in the treaty area for scientific purposes and for dog food (this latter practice is being phased out) as required under the 'Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Flora and Fauna. Should a sealing industry develop at any time in the future then the convention provides adequate means of its regulation and monitoring.

Level of Collaboration and Coordination among the Parties:

Because there had been no commercial sealing in the Antarctic after the Convention entered into force in 1978, an offer by the United Kingdom, as Depositary Government, to host a 1983 meeting of Parties, was declined. The first and, to date, only meeting of Parties, held in 1988, was occasioned by a 1986/87 Soviet commercial sealing expedition and research cruise.

 The 1988 meeting limited its recommendations to amendments to the Annex to the Convention or to Contracting Parties and other institutional action independent of the terms of the Convention. The Meeting agreed that Contracting Parties should restrict the number of seals killed or captured by special permit. It also agreed to encourage cooperative planning among holders of special permits for scientific research and detailed the scientific information, which should be reported. The meeting recommended that the Annex be amended to increase the period of notification by a Contracting Party to other Contracting Parties prior to leaving homeport for a commercial sealing expedition from 30 to 60 days. The final report of the meeting noted, however, that Contracting Party countries are unlikely to engage in commercial sealing in the foreseeable future.

 In 1992, the United Kingdom proposed, but the Parties did not feel it necessary, to hold a further meeting. In October 1993, the United Kingdom hosted an informal meeting of the Parties to review the operation of the Convention. The meeting was held in the margins of the twelfth meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. As a result, the Parties noted the need to: improve the submission and exchange of data; endorse scientific programs on seal research; provide SCAR with contact points of CCAS parties; and circulate copies of reports from the SCAR Group of Specialists to CCAS Parties. In response to an Inquiry, the United Kingdom confirmed that the recommendations adopted by the 1988 Meeting of Parties entered into force on March 27, 1990.

Institutional Robustness:

Since the CCAS does not have an established commission scientific advice is provided by the SCAR Group of Specialist on Seals. This group also has the responsibility of coordinating data on the number of seals killed in the treaty area for scientific purposes and for dog food (this latter practice is being phased out) as required under the 'Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Flora and Fauna.' Should a sealing industry develop at any time in the future then the convention provides adequate means of its regulation and monitoring.

Impacts on Behavior of Target Groups:

Under Article V. in the 1972 Convention of Conservation for the Conservation of seals, contracting parties may issue permits to kill or capture seals in limited quantities and in conformity with the objectives and principles of this Convention for the following purposes:

a) to provide indispensable food for men or dogs

b) to provide for scientific research

c) to provide specimens for museums, educational or cultural institutions.  

To obtain a permit for scientific research or for the hunting of seals you must contact the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries. 

The role of the permits, works to recover, protect and conserve marine mammals under the MMPA, ESA and/or FSA by, reviewing and processing permits and authorizations for scientific research, public display, enhancement and photography to ensure integrity, coordinating and facilitating sound scientific research, coordinating national policy for minimizing harassment from human activities directed at marine mammals, conducting effective outreach to educate agency and external constituents on the permit program and responsible wildlife viewing practices.

In addition, to works with the many NMFS Regional Offices on NMFS' national program of  promoting responsible marine mammal viewing guidelines, including the "Protect Dolphins" campaign; (2) administers the national program for tracking captive cetaceans and pinnipeds (except walruses) through the Marine Mammal Inventory System; (3) coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on permits for imports and exports of species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and (4) serves as liaison on marine mammal permit and related matters with a variety of organizations, including the Marine Mammal Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, other Federal agencies, the academic community, public display institutions, and environmental and animal welfare organizations.

Treaty Instruments

Hunting Regulations on Big Seals

The Antarctic Connection

Regional Resources