seal oil has become a popular health product because of its omega-3 content. Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia have been and are still involved in regulated commercial harvest of these species.

I

Management challenges and opportunities An exploration of existing conservation and environmental agreements for all Arctic seal species is beyond the scope of this chapter. Whilst a number of agreements and protection measures cover several seal species, prominence in this section is given to the hooded seal, as this species is arguably in most need of attention given its vulnerable status.

Documented population declines of hooded seals resulted in the introduction of quotas in the early 1970s in order to achieve sustainable harvests4

. Due to concerns over low II

pup production estimates, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)/North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Working Group on Harp and Hooded Seals (WGHARP) is an important source of scientific advice on the management and harvest of harp and hooded seals. WGHARP annually provides quota advice to ICES/NAFO member states for their harvests of these seal species. Since 2007, WGHARP has recommended that no harvest of Greenland Sea hooded seals should be permitted, with the exception of catches for scientific purposes11

. As for setting

quotas for the northwest Atlantic hooded seal, a precautionary approach has been adopted since 200711

of both harp seal white-coat pups or hooded seal blue-backs (pups) for commercial purpose is prohibited12 both harp and hooded seals are protected.

. In Canada, the killing , and in Svalbard

Appendix 3 of the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) lists protected fauna species, including six seal species with habitats in the Arctic (hooded seal, bearded seal, harp seal, harbour seal, ringed seal, and grey seal). Through the framework of the EU Habitats Directive, signatory states of the Bern Convention have agreed to take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the protection of the wild fauna species

68 PROTECTING ARCTIC BIODIVERSITY