In Newfoundland, there are certain seasons and areas open for seal hunting. They are not an endangered species there...in fact, they have an overpopulation problem. Flippers are a mainstay on many restaurant menus over there, and they are sold at stands on the side of the road($2.00 each when I was there 5 years ago!)

What we have is a man-made problem, and it seems that the man-made problems are the most difficult to solve. The thing that makes the most sense to me is to have some form of selective harvest for seals & sea lions...but only in areas where they endanger our fish populations. If there is no longer a "natural" predator for these creatures, that is also man's fault. They should not be at the top of the food chain. Just a thought.