Canadian Firm Pleads Guilty to Illegally Shipping Harp Seal Oil to US

Canadian company FeelGood Natural Health Stores pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act by exporting and selling harp seal oil capsules in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the DOJ announced. The company faces a maximum fine of $500,000 and five years' probation. However, as part of the plea deal, the U.S. and FeelGood recommended a $20,000 fine and three years' probation during which the firm "must create and implement a compliance plan, train its employees, obtain any necessary licenses, and cooperate fully with the government."

From 2019 to 2021, FeelGood put up the harp seal oil capsules for sale in the U.S. on its own webpage and a third-party platform, even though its site on the third-party platform said, "NOT ship to USA," and though the company received a notice some of its exports were seized for violating the MMPA. The company persisted, shipping at least 936 bottles of capsules valued at over $10,000, the DOJ said.

“Our wildlife laws were passed to ensure the continued existence and enjoyment of these natural resources for future generations,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim said. “Those who deliberately exploit marine mammals for commercial purposes in U.S. markets in violation of our wildlife laws will be criminally prosecuted.”