Canadian Seal Hunt

[snowleopard]

While Canada is seen as a progressive country in many ways: it went almost 60 years with only peacekeeping troops instead of combat units, but that went out the window with the recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars; one of only 7 nations to allow same-sex marriage (there are also 6 U.S. States as well); a low number of homicides across the country; tough anti-animal circus and anti-wildlife ownership legislation.

But for all of those positives, one major negative is that in Canada there is an awful lot of clubbing of baby seals. Around 900,000 seals are killed for their hides worldwide, and Canada provides a lot of fur to the seal industry. I wonder what would happen if there was a worldwide ban on seal pelts? Would there be a massive overpopulation of the animals? Would fish stock become even more depleted?

A link to a FAQ answer page for seal information:

About the Canadian Seal Hunt | The Humane Society of the United States

 

[Quartz92]

I thaught there was illegal to hunt seals in Canada, or at least it was?

 

[snowleopard]

@Quartz92: Hunting seals in Canada is a massive industry, and about 5,000-6,000 hunters participate in the hunt each year.

 

[Dan]

Oh yeah... the Canadian baby seal hunt...

This subject was actually one of the first things to turn me onto the question of mankind´s treatment of animals. Some 45 years ago, when I had just learnt to read, this issue was featured in the Swedish evening paper that my dad used to buy and I remember being very upset about it.

It was claimed then, as it still is today, that many of the pups in effect are skinned while still being alive.

This IS indeed a shame to Canada.

Thanks for bringing the subject up, snowleopard.

 

[Quartz92]

Well I know in Newfoundland, you must obtain a license to hunt seals and you have to hunt outside of breeding season. You must also have a professional seal mammologist with you in order to hunt the seals so they are not pregnant nor are they mothers.

 

[Winter]

Well I know in Newfoundland, you must obtain a license to hunt seals and you have to hunt outside of breeding season. You must also have a professional seal mammologist with you in order to hunt the seals so they are not pregnant nor are they mothers.[/QUOTE

Were did you get this? A professional seal mammologists??? no individual goes out ans make sure they are not killing seals that are pregnant or mothers. And like stated above, the majority are skinned alive. heartbreaking.

 

[Meaghan Edwards]

I wish they'd ban it, it gives Canada a bad name. The ONLY seal hunting I am OK with is in the arctic where the natives only take a select few animals, not a mass slaughter. I feel the same about coyote hunting contests where the winner gets X amount of money based on how many animals they kill Barbaric.

 

[Quartz92]

I said in "Newfoundland" and its because the majority of my family live there and some unfortunately do hunt seals. That is what you have to do. I just passed along the information that was obtained from the government!

 

[chizlit]

I thought the EU had banned or are to ban the use of seal fur which would make the trade in fur almost redundant because there would be no market for it.

 

[Meaghan Edwards]

I thought the EU had banned or are to ban the use of seal fur which would make the trade in fur almost redundant because there would be no market for it.

Yep, they did.