……objective science for conservation…….

The Pacific WildLife Foundation is a non-profit coastal and marine research and education society  that inspires an appreciation for objective scientific research and conservation of the ocean. We conduct original research, develop novel education programs, and inspire an appreciation for conservation of the ocean. 

Harbour Seal Conservation

There are periodic calls for a return of a culling program in response to conflicts with fisheries. Aquaculture operations are licenced to shoot nuisance seals in British Columbia. Human disturbance from boaters is probably only a local concern. More insidious is the accumulation of toxic chemical wastes in the tissues. Seals in the Strait of Georgia Basin and Puget Sound carry elevated levels of PCB, PCDD and PCDF (Ross et al. 1996, 1997, Swart et al 1996). Their concern is that some of the seals are carrying levels above those found to produce immunotoxic effects. Harbour seals are also vulnerable to oil spills (Frost et al. 1994).