90 percent or more of the seal pups born in the southern Gulf likely died this year global warming

[Omaha Steve]

http://hsus.typepad.com/seals/2007/04/index.html

April 01, 2007
Frustrating News as Government Prevents Observation

Today brings tragic and frustrating news.

The commercial seal hunt will open in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (map) tomorrow at dawn. This is the area we were based in earlier this week, searching for seal pups we couldn't find. In hindsight, I can understand why I saw no pups - the Department of Fisheries and Oceans now admits that 90 percent or more of the pups born in the southern Gulf likely died this year because of the devastating ice conditions. It is inconceivable to me that they are allowing the handful of pups who survived to be clubbed and shot to death.

But the hunt will go on, and those pups, who I last saw clinging desperately to tiny pans of ice, will be slaughtered.



To make matters worse, we have just been told that we will be prevented from bearing witness to this portion of the hunt. The Canadian government has refused to issue observation permits for all journalists and others who wish to view the slaughter in the southern Gulf, claiming there will not be enough sealing boats in the area to warrant our attention. With this decision, they are preventing any documentation of the opening days of the commercial seal hunt.

We all feel so frustrated. The Canadian seal hunt occurs in public space, and observation of this activity is a right guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - not an arbitrary privilege to be granted by a federal government department.

Thankfully, we have been assured that permits will be issued in time for us to observe the seal hunt in the northern Gulf, which will begin on Wednesday. There are reports that the Magdalene Islands sealing vessels have already departed for this area.

When they arrive, we will be here to meet them.

Posted on April 01, 2007 at 12:59 PM | Permalink

[InvisibleTouch]

1. It's unbelievable to me that this travesty still continues.

There's been an international outcry against it for decades, and yet nothing seems to make any difference. This is truly a shameful blight on the Canadian government. In recent years there's been an organized boycott of Canadian fisheries products, but I don't know to what extent, if any, that's helping.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Since the boycott started the exports have fallen...

It is having an effect. The number one item not to buy from Canada is SNOW CRAB. Most of it comes from the seal hunt area.

[InvisibleTouch]

3. That's good to know, thanks. n/t

[sam sarrha]

4. we are next.. our time is not far off