Paws Down!

To the Canadian government for once again allowing the annual slaughter of thousands of harp seals along the Newfoundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence coasts.

Each spring, during the end of March and beginning of April, thousands of harp seals are brutally killed for their coats and blubber along Canadian shorelines.  According to sources, an estimated 275,000 seals could be killed during the 2008 annual slaughter, with many of the animals being just young pups of only 10 days to 3 weeks old.  Though the Canadian Fisheries and Aquaculture Management agency supports clubbing seals to death as a humane kill method, studies such as a 2001 veterinary report cited by the International Fund for Animal Welfare argues against this point, and further found that:

• In 40% of the kills a sealer had to strike the seal a second time, presumably because it was still conscious after the first blow or shot.
• 42% of killed seals examined were found to have minimal or no fractures, suggesting a high probability that these seals were conscious when skinned.

The pelts, blubber, and other seal products acquired through the cruel annual hunt are typically exported to countries such as China, Norway and Russia.  Thankfully, several countries worldwide, including the United States, have passed bans on seal products imports and the European Union has been considering the adoption of a membership-wide ban.

NHES opposes the yearly seal hunt as thousands of sentient beings tragically suffer, and we urge you to oppose the hunt as well!  Please write polite letters urging an end to the Canadian harp seal hunt to:

The Honorable David Emerson

Minister of International Trade

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0G2

Sources:

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=21446

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/protect_seals/about_the_canadian_seal_hunt/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23577468/

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/index_e.htm