pelagic sealing

Pelagic sealing refers to the hunting of fur seals in the open ocean, as opposed to at their land-based breeding grounds. This practice was a significant point of contention, particularly in the Bering Sea, involving nations like the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.12

The Pribilof Islands, off the coast of Alaska, were a major breeding area for northern fur seals. In the late 19th century, pelagic sealing by various countries led to a drastic depletion of these seal herds. This resulted in international disputes, such as the Bering Sea Dispute, where the United States' claim of authority over the sea was challenged.32

An international tribunal eventually ruled that the Bering Sea was part of the high seas, not under a single nation's jurisdiction. The North Pacific Sealing Convention of 1911 aimed to regulate pelagic sealing, but its effectiveness varied over time, with conservation efforts and shifting international agreements influencing the practice.23