Hunting seals

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Swedish EPA) shares responsibility for seal management with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. The Swedish EPA is responsible for matters related to seal hunting.

The Swedish EPA may issue permits for hunting of all seal species. There are two main types of hunting permits, protection hunting and license hunting.

Protection hunting

The Swedish EPA may be authorized to prevent or reduce damage to fisheries, aquaculture or fish stocks. There are two forms of protection hunting:

  1. Protection hunting initiated by the Swedish EPA. When protection hunting is initiated by the Swedish EPA, no individual application is required. These decisions allocate quotas for each seal species within designated counties. Hunting must cease once the allocated quota is filled.
  2. Preventive hunting based on individual applications. The Swedish EPA may grant permits for protection hunting upon application by individuals, for example to address damage caused by seals to fish farming or fishing activities.

Licensed hunting for grey seals and harbour seals

Licensed hunting differs from protection hunting because it does not need to immediate vicinity of documented damage to fishing gear or catches. Licensed hunting may also be authorized in areas where fish farms have experienced damage.

Terms and conditions for seal hunting

The Swedish EPA establishes terms and conditions for hunting, including:

  • Hunting periods
  • Designated hunting areas
  • Quotas and allocations
  • Requirements for sample Collection

Before hunting, hunters must:

  • Verify the remaining quota for relevant county
  • Review and comply with all applicable terms and conditions

Specific hunting requirements

  • Hunting must comply with the terms and conditions specified in the Swedish EPA’s decision.
  • Hunting seals from a stationary boat is permitted; the engine may remain running.
  • Hunters using a boat must have completed seal hunting training provided by a Swedish or Finnish hunting organization.
  • A minimum of class 2 bonded ammunition must be used for seal hunting.

Reporting hunted seals

All hunted seals must be reported to the Swedish EPA in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions. Reports must include the hunter’s personal information as specified in the decision.

Phone: 010-698 10 00

Contact

Retrieving seals that are shot

Hunted seals must be retrieved if possible, and in some cases, samples must be collected.

For questions about sample collection, contact the Swedish Museum of Natural History.

Health monitoring of seals (nrm.se)

Relevant legislation

Seal hunting is regulated by the Hunting Act (1987:259) and the Hunting Ordinance (1987:259).

Hunting Act (1987:259) (riksadagen.se)

The Hunting Ordinance (1987:259) (riksdagen.se)