On March 23rd, 2026 Seals, Stigma and Survival secondary investigator Erik Kielsen has an opportunity to sit down with the vice chairman of the national fishers/hunters organization KNAPK, Jens Peter Kielsen in Qaqortoq, Kalaallit Nunaat. In the short but impactful conversation with Erik, Jens Peter stresses the historic and continuing importance of seals for hunters and locals in Southern Kalaallit Nunaat. He also highlights the continuing negative impact of the EU ban on seal products for Kalaallit and the value that an open EU would have for Kalaallit Nunaat, noting that the impacts would extend well beyond just the potentially positive economic benefits that could develop should the EU become more open to the inclusion of Kalaallit views on ecosystem and seal management and use.
Erik Kielsen: What does the seal mean to you?
Jens Peter Kielsen: Historically, the seal has meant a lot to all the Inuit peoples. It has been the reason that we have survived and that we are here today! The seal has given EVERYTHING and still gives so much to us: The hunter eats the meat, sells the meat, shares the meat with the locals, sells the skin, uses the skin for tools, as skin for kayaks, for national costumes, for jackets, gloves, for hats, as decoration, as furniture covers, etc.
Erik: What does the limitation of the different seal species mean?
Jens Peter: Among other things, we want to keep our national costume, and we must not hunt the spotted seal if its skin is used to make part of our national costume, and we also eat the meat. There are still many spotted seals in Greenland! Hooded seal hunting in the spring is a big part of our culture here in South Greenland. The use of the hooded seal skin for Great Greenland no longer happens, even though a large part of the seal hunter’s annual income comes from the meat of the hooded seal, and the sale of its skin could otherwise contribute so much! Limiting seal species results in more hunting of the other seal species (harp seal and ringed seal), and that is not good for the balance of the different seal species.
Erik: What does the closed EU marketplace mean for you?
Jens Peter: It has affected our ability to earn income from selling skins, and the prices for these have dropped catastrophically over at least the last 40 years! Due to the restrictions, the hunter is forced to focus on other animals, or try to catch more seals to balance their income. Today’s prices for seal skins make it impossible to live off seal hunting alone. Now you ALSO NEED a fishing license in order to survive and make it work financially for the family.
Erik: What will a more open EU for seal skins and meat mean for you?
Jens Peter: It will mean greater income and more financial security for the seal hunter and his family, in a world that is changing so quickly. It will help ensure that the culture of seal hunting is preserved, the sale of skins domestically and abroad is maintained, the national costume culture is preserved, the kayak culture is preserved, clothing made from seal skins is preserved, furniture made from seal skins and souvenirs made from seal skins are preserved. Most of all, it will be of great importance for maintaining a large part of our culture and identity, and we will have better economy and be less physically (and mentally) burdened.
Seals, Stigma and Survival 