Decree No. 414 of 1996 to provide for the management and conservation of seals on the Norwegian coast.

The Decree is aims at the conservation of a stock of seals on the Norwegian coast as a renewable resource and regulates hunting of seals from an ecological and economic perspective. It applies to seals of all types. In principal it is forbidden to hunt, catch, damage or kill seals. The Directorate of Fisheries however, may, within established catch quotas issue licences to hunt for seals in specified periods from 2 January until 30 April and 15 July until 30 September of each year (sect. 5). The periods are varying according to the hunting area and the species of seals that may be hunted. Seals which damage fishing gear or which are bred in marine areas may be killed (sect. 9). Killing of seal shall be reported to the Directorate of Fisheries (sect. 11). (13 sections)