Is seal meat halal or haram?

The majority of scholars hold the view that eating sea dog (seal) meat is permissible, as there is no text prohibiting it, and it therefore remains under the original ruling of permissibility. The Hanbalis stipulated that it must be ritually slaughtered (tadhkiyah) because it is an amphibious animal with circulating blood. However, the more authoritative opinion is that tadhkiyah is not a requirement, due to the general statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding the sea: "Its water is purifying, and its dead (creatures) are lawful."