Top Hooded Seal Fishing Countries

The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) is a large, ice-dwelling pinniped native to the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, known for the male’s distinctive inflatable nasal sac. Historically, hooded seals have been targeted for their valuable pelts and blubber, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the primary countries involved in hooded seal harvesting are Canada, Norway, and, to a lesser extent, Greenland. Canada and Norway have regulated commercial hunts, although quotas and international pressure have led to significant reductions in harvest levels over recent decades. The industry is now relatively small and tightly controlled, with products including pelts, oil, and meat, and is subject to ongoing scrutiny from conservation groups and changing market demands.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.