Protesters are already gathering in Charlottetown in anticipation of the annual harp seal hunt, but there is a good chance there won't be a hunt this year.

'In previous bad ice years there have been pup mortalities up to 75 per cent.'— Toni Vernelli, Greenpeace

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would usually have set a quota for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence by now, and a date for some time near the end of March. But ice conditions are very poor in the southern gulf this year, and the seals need ice to raise their young. Without ice, the pups drown.

With poor ice conditions in four of the last five years, DFO is finding itself in agreement with the protesters that the future of the local herd could be difficult.

"The Department of Fisheries and Oceans themselves have confirmed in previous bad ice years there have been pup mortalities up to 75 per cent," Toni Vernelli of Greenpeace told CBC News Thursday.

"A population can withstand one or two years of such high pup mortalities, but what it can't withstand is continuing years of that."

The protesters say climate change is to blame.

Rebecca Aldworth said ice conditions are the worst she's ever seen.
(CBC)

Rebecca Aldworth of the Humane Society of the United States, who is already in Charlottetown, said she has checked ice conditions from the air, and they're the worst she's seen since she began observing the hunt nine years ago.

"They're dying by the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands," said Aldworth.

"I'm anticipating there may be 100 per cent mortality in the southern gulf herd this year."

DFO said it's too early to make any estimate, but it is expecting a higher than average mortality rate this year. A decision on the hunt is expected next week.