Posted on 03/10/2008 3:32:33 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
OTTAWA, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has once again decided to ignore scientific advice by setting the total allowable catch (TAC) for harp seals well above what the population can sustain. Conservationists around the world and experts with IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare - http://www.ifaw.org) are appalled that the Canadian government has seen fit to actually increase the quota despite scientific evidence that the population is in decline.
"The blatant disregard for precautionary management principles demonstrates to the world that the Canadian government does not value science or conservation," said Sheryl Fink, a senior researcher with IFAW.
Experts with IFAW maintain that the government's unwillingness to seriously reduce the TAC is not only irresponsible, but downright reckless given the recent history of unsustainable catches, poor ice conditions and increased pup mortality. "Just last year, hundreds of thousands of newborn pups in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence died due to lack of ice before the hunt even began," stated Fink. "And now with this exceedingly high TAC, this same harp seal population will face another year of decline."
In the last year, an international groundswell of opposition to this hunt has brought about national bans on seal products in Belgium and The Netherlands. Similar bans designed to close down markets for seal pelts are currently under consideration in Germany, Italy and Austria.
Amid the European trade ban discussions of the last year, the international demand for seal fur has diminished considerably and pelt prices have dropped by almost half.
"All recent evidence indicates that the market for seal fur is saturated. There is no place for pelts to go, even at reduced prices," said Fink. "For these reasons, the Canadian government will once again have to support this cruel and unsustainable hunt with tax breaks and hidden subsidies," added Fink. "It has become quite clear that Canada's commercial seal hunt sustains nothing but the political futures of a few decision-makers in Canada."
Canada's commercial seal hunt continues to be the world's largest hunt for marine mammals today. Last year over 224,000 seals were killed, 98.5% of which were pups under three months old.
To learn more about IFAW's efforts to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt, visit http://www.stopthesealhunt.org today.
Baby seals, baby humans, they’re all the same to liberal socialists.
killing? in a non-bias msm i would think it would be called “harvesting” in the headline.
Who’s going to club 275,000 seals? Maybe they can bring up some illegals to work for a buck a seal. “Gimmee a heavy leafblower and I will solve two problems at once senor”
they are talking aboot the FUR...the meat is also used...even if it goes to use for feeding sled dogs.
Taste like chicken
What are you talking about? Liberal socialists will be more upset about the seals than our sacrificed children. I am sickened by both.
That’s my Charleston team trivia team name,
“A Baby Seal Walks Into A Club.”
Saw it on a thread here and just had to use it. Some hate it, especially teachers on other teams. Good.
mickey finn, I about die laughing when I see very large sea lions sitting on some ones expensive docks leaning against fancy boats and the govt. won’t let ya even chase the lard butts off.
Oh we don’t give a hoot about your investments it is the animal we worry about.
See it all along the Pacific coast.
Well thought response. I like it.
Did you hear about the seal that walked into the bar?
The bartender asked, “What’ll ya have?”
The seal said, “Anything but Canadian Club!”
I suspect the reason to increase the seal hunt is to help dwindling commercial fishing stocks rebound.
Those seals are voracious feeders, and the fishing grounds in many Canadian seas are just about barren.
Club seals, not sandwiches!
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