A Canadian seal hunter takes a swing at a baby seal. "Our hunt ... is sustainable, it's viable and it's humane" says Thomas Hedderson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This week, animal welfare activists have found themselves the most unlikely ally. Vladimir Putin, Russia's Prime-Minister, a judo master, a book author, and a pet lover, who received a tiger cub for his birthday, banned seal hunting in Russian waters. On March 18, Putin labeled the annual hunt of the animals a "bloody industry" that "should have been banned a long time ago." Putin's words and law put Canada further into isolation on the seal-hunting issue.
Sheryl Fink, a researcher for the International Fund for Animal Welfare based in Guelph, Ont, was positively shocked by Putin's decision. The Russian branch of the organization held rallies in cities across Russia last month, but after years of fruitless campaigning, Mr. Putin's support caught them off guard. "It highlights the fact that Canada is still in the Dark Ages on this issue. It's astounding when even the government of Russia is more willing to listen to its own people than ours is," Ms. Fink said.
Yury Trutnyev, the Russian Minister of Natural Resources, announced a ban on the hunting of all harp seals less than one year old. "This bloody hunting is from now on banned in our country, as in most developed countries. This is an important measure to preserve Russia's biodiversity," he said. The Russian ban effectively ends commercial seal hunting in that country, as most of the market for pelts comes from seals less than a year old, reported The National Post. A quota had previously allowed for the harvesting of up to 35,000 seals in the White Sea, near Russia's border with Finland.
Just three countries now have a commercial harp seal hunt. Greenland and Norway combine for an annual catch of less than 50,000 - dwarfed by the Canadian quota of 275,000 last year. The image shows a Canadian seal-hunter at work.
Read the experts from the March 18, 2009 publication by the National Post ("Russia's seal-hunt ban pushes Canada further into isolation," by Michael McKiernan):
The move came as a surprise to Thomas Hedderson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador, whose province is preparing for the beginning of its annual hunt. Harp seal reserves off the coast there number well more than five million and are increasing, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada."I'm not as familiar with the Russian hunt as I am with our own, but they're clearly having problems we are not experiencing," he said.
"Our hunt is one of the best-managed and most-regualted industries you'll see anywhere. It's sustainable, it's viable and it's humane."
Equally surprised was Sheryl Fink, although that's where similarities with Mr. Hedderson end. She works as a researcher for the International Fund for Animal Welfare based in Guelph, Ont. The Russian branch of the organization held rallies in cities across the country last month, but after years of fruitless campaigning, Mr. Putin's support caught them off guard.
"It highlights the fact that Canada is still in the Dark Ages on this issue. It's astounding when even the government of Russia is more willing to listen to its own people than ours is," Ms. Fink said.
"It's time for Canada to act, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Governments have shown they're content to plough ahead with the status quo and I expect that extraordinary level of denial to continue."
The Russian ban is just the latest in a string of blows to the Canadian seal hunt. Last month, a European Union committee endorsed a proposal that would prohibit member states from importing seal products. That plan could be put into action as soon as next month.
Although Mr. Putin has yet to indicate whether his sympathies for the creatures extends far enough to copy the EU approach and ban imports, his stance has pushed Canada further into the proverbial corner.
Just three countries now have a commercial harp seal hunt. Greenland and Norway combine for an annual catch of less than 50,000 - dwarfed by the Canadian quota of 275,000 last year.
Mr. Hedderson plays down the significance of the Russian move, saying it's simply the latest round in an old debate.
"For 30 years our professional harvesters have been taking the brunt of the pressure from special interest groups and this year is no different. The campaign is ratcheting up as it always does at this time of year," he said.
He's girded for the fight and remains confident the seal hunt will survive, whatever the views of the Russian Prime Minister.
"I don't know where he's coming from, whether it's a personal point of view or his country's view," Mr. Hedderson said. "But we must look after our own resources, including seals, regardless of what others think."
I think there's a lesson to be learned here: The world is not such a black-and-white affair after all--mutual agreement can be found in unexpected places...
Well, all is not lost, yey. Those of us who maintain that hunting and trapping is in fact a traditional right, would champion the Canuchs for their rationality. Next thing you know some wierdos will try to ban the sale of leather and fur and meat for the purposes of keeping humans warm and fed. After all, animal rights should prevail over human survival. Where will we get our mukluks from in future years? Why not declare an open season on pet pelts? What the world needs now is more roadkill stew. If the EU doesn't like game meat then we'll take their share.
Lois & Cliff Clarke
(resurrecters of the Northwest Fur Company in Astoria)
Really feel sad for the seals.
I love animals, I always will. Humans who mistreat
and kill animals for what-
ever are totally ugly and
have no right being on this
plant. As you can see just
look at our world, it's
more ugly than beautiful
and just because of horrible ugly humans -these
two legged upright walkers
have to be born without
love. there's no such thing
as humans have rights over
animals - these humans are
sick and need help in under
standing what life is all
about.Love you beautiful
animals.
You're a pitiable man. A pitiable ignorant man. We no longer need fur, we have Faux which is both cheaper, and much more affective then actually killing an animal for it. The only people that wear fur are despicable, morally destitute morons who will never measure the weight of another creatures life.
Hunting is indeed a human trait, but it shouldn't be to kill a few defenseless seals, it should be for food, and only food.
The only reason seals are hunted are commercial, because some people assume a Seals life is worth a few dollars.
Another reason, is because they eat fish, but we're hypocrites because our sea trawlers exploit too much fish, and clearly they are the bigger problem.
Now, why don't you go breed with your wife, that way I can use your son to keep me warm after your worthless body is used as a pelt, because clearly a there is no better fur farmer then a dead one.
I am indeed a weirdo, but I think rationally enough to assume rightfully that an animal should not die for commercial purposes.
If you truly assume an animal should die for solely commercial purposes, then would you please gladly give your life for the sake of a few thousand dollars?
After all, you're not worth anything alive by far.
Beating an animal to death with a club is humane?
Lois, fur isn't needed. We just need to wear Faux, or perhaps any other jacket.
The only people who wear fur these days are spoiled, selfish, and ignorant people who would much prefer to wear a real animal just for a social status instead of wearing something cheaper. Faux in fact, can be made warmer then fur due to it being made from synthetic materials.
Seals should not be hunted because the biggest threat to fish is obviously not seals, but humans and sea trawlers. Obviously, humans were put in land and fish were put in sea as boundaries, sadly though we over exploit fish and blame it all on the seals like an immature child blaming his sister.
In the end, those that do not change are doomed to be forgotten, and those that still kill animals for fur when we no longer need it will hopefully vanish, along with those selfish few who kill animals for a sport and profit (I don't mind killing for food though.)
Oh, and this "weirdo" is not a part of Peta or any animal rights group, I'm a sixteen year old who has asperger syndrome (check it up) who appears to have just outsmarted your very biased non factual information.
The seal looks like it's screaming :(
this is crual how would you like it if you were wacked over the head with some sharp thing and have ur guts n brains spread all ova the flour.it just makes me feel sick, whoever is doing this has a cold heart. i spit on thier graves!!
Who here eats Beef, Pork, Chicken or Fish?
Do you realize those animals were killed for commercial reasons as well?
Seals are known as the rats of the seas did you read in the article...off the coast of Canada they number over 5 Million...that is an investation and if you ask me that number is actually much higher.
The hunt is very well managed and insures that seals will survive for another day, have you ever eaten rabbit? There clubbed as well or what about chicken? They get there heads cut off while there still alive. But the seal hunt is wrong.
You people are all ignorant yourselves, humans and animals have been hunting since there creation and we have been using pelts that long as well. If you don't like fur don't wear it but stop hating others for there choices.
humane? are you kidding me? if you really have no remorse for doing something like that then you are NOT human. you are the opposite, the most disgusting thing there is. how could you hurt something so innocent and precious? they have done nothing. NOTHING for you to do something like that. i am 16 and i wouldn't even think about hurting a fly. and you do this? wow, you filthy, nasty, ugly, life taker! one day you will see how it is. and you will remember what you did and feel like a complete idiot and have all this regret. and im happy you will.
If the planet were not so
over populated with humans
there would be rich,healthy
food growing in the ground,
trees, bushes, etc; BUT
SINCE HUMANS GREED AND APATHY GOT THE BEST OF THEM HUMANS CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE ON TASTELESS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND UNHEALTHY ANIMAL FLESH, BREATHE IN POLLUTED AIR, DRINK PLASTIC POLLUTED WATER, AND CANCEROUS VEGETABLES FROM THE SICK EARTH WE HUMANS MADE... OH AND THE FISH THAT USED TO LIVE IN CHRYSTAL CLEAN WATERS NOW SWIM IN POISONED WATER FILLED WITH OIL, GASOLINE, MERCURY.. ANYTHING ELSE . GOD HAVE MERCY ON THE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS WHO KNOW HOW TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE...maybe humans can change, who knows????? I may have an egg of two to keep my protein up, but hey, I love my fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, tofu,etc., and I am conscience free of not harming too many of God's living beings - the beautiful animals.
this is inhumane. its disgusting and shouldnt be allowed anywhere in this world! Its shameful to do such a thing
this is inhumane. its disgusting and shouldnt be allowed anywhere in this world! Its shameful to do such a thing
First, how many people know anything about what's actually going on about the seal hunt? What about people who require it survive? The natives require seals and other large mammals (seals being absolutely necessary) to stay alive. You see blood on a white canvas and start screaming 'bloody murder' without thinking about it does not help anyone. People are not going up to the cold polar regions just for fun and to hit animals with sticks!
I hope the f....rs who do this die the same way.
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