Seal hunting holidays

Sea hunting holidays are a new concept within the tourist industry in Norway. From January 2005 foreign nationals have been permitted to take part in hunts for coastal seals. Rules for seal hunting correspond to the rules governing big-game hunting, as these are practiced in Norway and other western countries.

Traditionally the coastal seals have served as a valuable resource for populations along the Norwegian coast, who have killed the seals for their meat and pelts. But in recent years seal hunting has been in decline. As a result, the seal population has increased, generating a local imbalance in the surrounding environment which causes damage to the fisheries and economic problems for the local communities.