Seals and Humans
Drop off or come in and let us know your opinion about the controversial seal hunt that American and European animal rights' groups brought back into the spotlight in the '70's, culminating with the European economic embargo in 1983. At the S.I.C., there's a lot to learn about all these relationships that have existed for decades and that create lasting ties between humans and seals. The Seal Interpretive Centre is yours to discover! |
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At the Seal
Interpretive Centre (S.I.C.), you'll learn that seals have always held an
important role for many communities along the water of Eastern Canada and
for those in the vast northern areas around Baffin Island and Hudson's Bay.
As well, you'll find out that two Canadian provinces in particular have
always had strong ties to the seals. They are Newfoundland and Quebec, with
its north shore region and the Magdalen Islands.
Did you
know that for hundreds of years up until the middle of the twentieth century,
even Europeans crossed the ocean to take advantage of the seal herd resource
consisting mainly of fur and oil? Stroll around the S.I.C. to read about
and listen to how, up until the beginning of the '80's, large Greenland
and hooded seal herds provided the Canadian and European industry with prosperous
white seal fur, from the young Greenland seal and the "blue back"
fur from the young hooded seal.
Text and research : Catherine Soumagnas, Antoine Poirier