Mar 14
Such cruelty doesn’t fit in my (ideal) society!
2005 at 02.35 am posted by Veerle
First let me paint a picture of the thoughts that I had about Canada. I always assumed that Canada was a country that had great respect for its citizens, the environment and its animals. It is one of the countries that I’m planning on visiting in this lifetime just because of the beautiful surroundings.
So that's why I have such a hard time grasping the fact that the Canadian government condone these practices. In fact from what I understand they even subsidize it. Despite high-level negotiations, international pressure, economic arguments and scientific evidence heavily weighing against the hunt, Canadian authorities have yet to abandon this mass killing. A sign for me to re-think my travel plans since I don't want to go such a country. After all it's the world's largest commercial hunt on baby animals.
Last year 350.000 seals where killed, the highest quota in Canada's history. Seals may be killed once they begin to moult their fluffy white coats - at just 12 days old. Ninety-five percent of the seals killed in the hunt are under three months of age. Here is a quote from a veterinarian:
"throughout my career as a veterinarian, I have seen animals die in slaughterhouses, research labs, and animal shelters, and I can assure you that the cruelty existing in the seal hunt would not be tolerated in these institutions." Dr. Mary Richardson DVM, Animal Care Review Board Solictor-General of Ontario after observing 1995 hunt
It is a grossly inhumane kill that goes mostly unregulated, as there are limited fisheries officer to watch and inspect the number of sealers on the ice. Credible witnesses have documented seeing seals skinned alive and tortured.
The Seal Hunt methods of kill? Clubs, hakapiks, rifles and shotguns. Not convinced of the cruelty? Then I recommend watching these 2 movies (Real movie 1 - movie 2). and this audio/photo slide show. But be warned I was shocked after seeing those!
In January 2004 the Belgian government announced that any selling and importing of seal fur is prohibited by law. Belgium was a pioneer in Europe with that decision. At last something to be proud of! Good to know is that other European countries are following the example.
A statement where I can find myself in it is that seal conservation is about far more than "just saving seals and stopping the Canadian seal slaughter". It's about saving marine ecosystems, of which all seals are an integral part of. Tomorrow the 15th of March is the International Day of Action Against the Canadian Seal Hunt with several protests all around the world.
Background info:
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Since my blog has reached to 4000 unique visitor mark last week I am using this post as a call out to sign the "Million Signatures for a Million Seals" petition. I have done so and I sincerely hope you'll join me in supporting this good cause. It costs nothing! Thanks for your time and support.
42served
1
Thanks for informing me about this Veerle - the movies were shocking. I have signed the petition and I urge everyone reading this post to do the same.
2
Have signed the petition!
3
In Norway, they even make touristic profit with killing seals. Tourists can kill for (I think it was this amount) 300$ 3 seals. This is really sick, and the people that invent such cruelties or allow to happen this, should be punished!!!
I’ve also signed!
4
I was especially shocked by the picture in the slide show where they show all those slaughtered seals from the air. Man do I have a hard time in grasping the fact that this is still possible in this day and age! Tourists who pay to kill seals are even sicker! Signed the petition also.
5
Is there any word to describe that crap ?… I’m just back from lunch and my stomach is upside down.
Viva Belgium for its law, I hope Europe will follow !
Signed petition too.
6
Is anybody wants to see how do they killed cow, chicken and other animals that we eat everyday? I see, they’re less cute than baby seal… It’s easier to sign a web petition and then we feel that we’ve done what we could to stop these crime.
Take action again the leadeer (like not visiting us like Veerle) and let them know. Write a letter and send it to canadian newpaper. Canadian politician are so aware of their image. They are so afraid not being re-elected.
Thanks for remembering us that we can make a difference of what happen in our country. It is not always fun to see what is done here.
7
@Patric: Is anybody wants to see how do they killed cow, chicken and other animals that we eat everyday? I see, they’re less cute than baby seal...
There is a world of difference between what happens in a slaughter house where there is a veterinarian that keeps an eye on things and killing 350.000 baby seals with clubs or hakapiks where there is no one (almost no one) to control what is happening with those animals. Skinning alive, come on! That never happens with cows, chickens etc. Also that meat is for consumption and the seals are just for their fur. In a slaughter house things happen in human way at least here in Belgium. We have very strict rules.
8
I’m originally from Europe, now a Canadian Citizen, and I too find, like many Canadians, that this slaughter is disgusting. Please, don’t develop the idea that ALL Canadians think this practice is acceptable - we do NOT. Every year Canadians write to their Government officials, the newspapers and make to donations to fight against this cruelty. Every year it continues. It’s not about Canada - it’s about $$$$.
Thanks, Veerle, for airing this once more. The pressure to ban this practice has to continue and your petition is another step.
9
@Joss, I don’t have anything against the Canadian people and I’m absolutely sure that almost everyone one living there is against it. I’ve read all about it… It’s unbelievable that the government still allows it and approve it even if there is so much protest. Why is this still going on and even worse than before if ‘everyone’ is against it? Only for $$$? The strange thing about this is that it doesn’t make ‘a lot’ of money, it represents as good as nothing of the total economy (0.001% BNP as far as I’ve read about it). Also, it brings more damage then good, because it brings the country a bad reputation and image which results in less tourists, it causes rather a loss instead of a ‘profit’.
The whole situation really puzzles me… It seems that protesting is not enough, since as good as all Canadians are against it. Although I really hope that tomorrow will make ‘some’ difference. We can only hope it will stop one day (soon).
10
I’ve signed the petition!
11
sickening.
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@Veerle The whole situation really puzzles me… It seems that protesting is not enough, since as good as all Canadians are against it. Although I really hope that tomorrow will make ‘some’ difference. We can only hope it will stop one day (soon). It puzzle me too. We feel so unpowerful concerning that.
I’ve also signed the petition, but for my part, I do not think this is enough. Hope is not changing anything by keeping it for ourselves. Alone, nothing happens, together we can make a difference. Thanks Veerle for awakening this
13
Veerle, tons of animals are killed in inhumane ways. The only reason people hate the seal hunt is because baby seals look *cute*. Do you have any idea how Canadians could reduce seal population in a more humane way? I’m not sure if you’ve realized this but over population of seals is going to ruin our fishing industry otherwise.
14
@Patrick, I think what’s needed is that the export should be boycotted. Pressure on import from the US and Europe could make a change I think.
@Mark Davis, it has nothing to do with a *cute* factor, if it were chickens or whatever animal I would be as shocked as I am now. My principals would be to stop immediately by consuming that food.
I’m not sure if you’ve realized this but over population of seals is going to ruin our fishing industry otherwise.
Now that is politics talking in my opinion. The shortage is there because of years of over-fishing. People are responsible for this. When there were 10 times as many seals then now there was also much more fish. The seal isn’t responsible, we are. That’s scientifically proven.
15
While I agree that these events are deplorable, it is virtually impossible to be able to provide financial resources (equipment, manpower, etc) to combat this problem specifically. at 130,000 kilometres, Canada’s northern coastline is the largest of any arctic coastline in the world.
Combating a problem like this in a country as small as Belgium is one thing. Combating it in a country as big as Canada is another.
And it certainly isn’t any cause to not come to Canada. I am opposed to people killing, slaughtering and serving horses as food, but that wouldn’t stop me from visiting Belgium.
16
@Kim Siever: I am opposed to people killing, slaughtering and serving horses as food, but that wouldn’t stop me from visiting Belgium.
Euh? Since when do we here in Belgium do this? Yes there is murder, but no where near 350,000 right? Or ‘slaughtering’ horses the same way? I don’t think so. Arguments without any value.
No resources are needed, just stop doing it. It has nothing to do with how big the country is :-S It still is a matter of principle in my opinion. Politics doesn’t seem to help either, so by not visiting it will at least have an effect. And if enough people would do it I’m sure they will reconsider.
17
“Since when do we here in Belgium do this? Yes there is murder, but no where near 350,000 right? Or ‘slaughtering’ horses the same way?”
The capacity and techniques are irrelevant. I am opposed to any killing of horses for consumption.
“just stop doing it”
And how do you stop people from doing it? By making it illegal? That won’t make a difference unless the law is enforced.
“by not visiting it will at least have an effect”
The effect will be negligible compared to the $17.8 billion Canada receives each year in tourist dollars.
“if enough people would do it I’m sure they will reconsider.”
Again, it would have to either be an extraordinarily large number of tourists or tourists who spend an extraordinarily large amount of money before it comes anywhere close to affecting the tourism dollars.
Even so, the government would have to justify that the small amount of tourist dollars lost would be more than the financial burden incurred to enforce seal killing laws. Very doubtful.
As well, tourism accounts for less than 3% to the Canadian economy. Even if by some miracle, every single tourist in and out of Canada boycotted vacationing in Canada, i still would make very little financial impact on Canada’s economy.
Again, I am not defending the killing of the pups. I am trying to illustrate the feasibility of trying to regulate the killings.
18
@Kim Siever: I don’t know where you got that wicked idea that we kill horses all the time for consumption. I suggest that you come look yourself at our stores and see what kind of very small percentage that represents. And for your information there is no comparison between the two. There is nowhere that amount of horses that are killed for consumption here. The main meat consumption in Belgium are cows, pigs, chickens, sheep’s etc. I’ve never eaten horse meat in my entire life and that is the case for almost any Belgian citizen I believe.
That you are saying that laws aren’t feasible that prevents it is just a matter of opinion. Where there is will there is way. Trying to defend your country that way is kind of sad sorry. If it was in mine I would be ashamed. I would hate the politicians and would not vote for them in the next election and I also would try to do everything in my power to make things better. And about the tourist thing, I’m just trying to do me little bit and for me that is not visiting your country because they condone these practices.
19
“ I don’t know where you got that wicked idea that we kill horses all the time for consumption.”
I never said that horses were killed all the time for consumption. I only said hat they are killed. Nor did I say that it represents a large percentage of food sold in Belgium or that the methods used in killing them is similar to those used in killing baby seals. Nor have I said that every citizen of Belgium has eaten horse meat.
I simply stated that I hate the killing of horses for consumption. Belgium condones horse killing for consumption. This condoning does not impact my desire to visit Belgium.
That being said, any of the arguments you used to “justify” horse filling could be sued to “justify” seal killing. For example, baby seals are not killed all the time, dead baby seals make up a very small percentage of animals killed in Canada, not every citizen of Canada has killed a baby seal, and so forth.
“That you are saying that laws aren’t feasible that prevents it is just a matter of opinion.”
I never said it wasn’t feasible. I simply presented the facts and left the readers to determine the feasibility.
For the record, I am not trying to defend Canada’s actions on the matter. I am simply presenting the facts. In actuality, the only opinion on the matter that I have stated is that I am against the slaughter of baby seals (as I am the poaching of any animals.
20
Thank you so much for bringing this up. I am sure that many people are not aware of this mass slaughter.
I am appalled reading this and I am angered by this Canadian butchery. I can not comprehend that this mass slaughter is subsidized by the government of Canada.
I wish to express with you my profound indignation, deep sadness and disgust concerning the position of the Canadian government in this matter.
I’ve also signed the petition, just as I did last year.
21
As a 100% home-grown Canadian, I’m always apalled by this - every year I try to do something, and every year it seems a little harder to convince myself that I really do make a difference - I even advocate this during the rest of the year.
However, I’m delighted that you’ve taken an interest. Thank you.
-Ryan
22
I think the comparision with killing horses isn’t right. With seals, the only thing that’s being used, is the fur. All the rest is left behind. For me, it’s an action of cupidity and pure sadism. Just like the foxhunts in England. Dogs, horses and even hunters are injured, and still they go on with this stupid barbarian traditions.
23
Anyone curious about Canada’s offical policy on the seal hunt should read Understanding Seals and Sealing in Canada.
Note the answer to question 20 states explicitly that the hunt “is an economically viable activity and is not subsidized by the Government of Canada.”
24
I’d like to lay down a few facts so that you all can make a more educated opinion on the seal hunting, but before you read on you should keep in mind that I am strongly opposed to the cruelty of a lot of the Canadian seal hunt.
Is there international pressure to stop the seal hunt?
It is mostly to stop the cruelty of it.
Is seal hunting necessary?
While it varies from area to area and year to year, it often is. To protect the very ecosystems the activists say the hunting harms. The problems are complicated, but when the population grows too dense, “invasions” of seals to other areas severly harm the ecosystems there. While in places not strictly necessary, it can be quite a boost to economy. Imagine earning 5-10% of your yearly income in a couple of days.
Are seals still alive when skinned?
Usually not. Due to the way the muscular system of the seals work they often get cramps, making them seem alive, even though they are dead.
Isn’t the use of hakapiks horribly inhumane?
A hakapik is actually the most practical and humane way to kill a seal. When used properly, that is.
Are seals only hunted for their hide?
Traditionally, the hide yields the highest profits, but the lard and meat is also used. In Norway the two species with the most sought-after hide isn’t among the ones allowed to hunt for.
Does boycotting help?
Probably not. In fact, it was a decrease in tourists and economical problems in the coastal parts of Norway that made the horrible seal hunting tourism possible.
Is the hunt as bad in other countries?
Fortunately not. Both Russia and Norway have very low quotas at the moment, and at least in Norway the rules for hunting seals are very strict. All norwegian seal-hunting boats must have a government inspector on board. All those who hunt for seals have to take special training courses and tests.
While I wrote this comment Kevin Laurence commented with a link to Canada’s official policy. I especially noticed that “white coat seal pups that people see in PR campaigns have not been hunted in Canada for almost 20 years.” The pictures I saw on the sites linked were mostly of such seals.
When I look at all the serious information I have found, it seems the problem is rooted in the difficulties of controlling the hunt and not the hunt itself.
When you see actions such as those in the footage, please try not to generalize(no offense, Veerle, I actually liked your post).
25
I consider myself an educated and rather civilized man. I’m not hypersensitive to the cuteness factor of baby seals. I know some rough figures about Somalia and try to see things in it’s proper context. I consider death penalty not fitting in a civilization worthy of the name.
All of the above doesn’t prevent my stomach from literally spasming when I look at this or similar foottage at http://mijnkopthee.nl today. It doesn’t keep my pulse from racing and my heart beating in my throat and wanting to go out and kill some hunters.
You should feel fucking sick when looking at this! How people can play this down is simply beyond me.
26
This whole thing is disgusting. There are no other words to describe the act except that it is a heineous act and it should be stopped.
I have signed the petition as well as a few others that I directed here. I can only hope that we can help to stop this. Society has let itself down by letting things like this happen.
27
@ Erik A. Drabløs: I’d like to lay down a few facts so that you all can make a more educated opinion on the seal hunting
So it’s me the un-educated one speaking now. If you are the modal Canadian citizen then I can begun to understand why these brutalities still take place. Downplaying this is beyond my comprehension.
I sure do hope that there are more people in Canada like Ryan Brooks from comment number 20 on this site.
Now on to your educated facts:
Is there international pressure to stop the seal hunt?
It is mostly to stop the cruelty of it.
Wrong it is to stop the killing once and for all!
Are seals still alive when skinned?
Usually not. Due to the way the muscular system of the seals work they often get cramps, making them seem alive, even though they are dead.
In 2001, a report by an independent team of veterinarians (Ian Robinson and John Gripper from the United Kingdom, Debbie Ruehlmann and Rosemary Burdon from the United States, and Alan Longair from Canada also concluded that governmental regulations were neither being respected nor enforced, and that the seal hunt failed to comply with Canada’s basic animal welfare regulations. The veterinarians found a disturbing number of seals (as many as 40%) probably were skinned while alive and conscious.
Isn’t the use of hakapiks horribly inhumane?
A hakapik is actually the most practical and humane way to kill a seal. When used properly, that is.
You’re joking here right?
Are seals only hunted for their hide?
Traditionally, the hide yields the highest profits, but the lard and meat is also used.
Wrong, It IS for their fur and in some cases for the male sexual organ and oil (most of the hunt it is not). The meat is left to rot on the ice or gets thrown overboard.
28
@ Erik A. Drabløs: Is seal hunting necessary?
The problems are complicated, but when the population grows too dense, “invasions” of seals to other areas severely harm the ecosystems there. While in places not strictly necessary, it can be quite a boost to economy. Imagine earning 5-10% of your yearly income in a couple of days.
The government claims that the hunt is necessary to thin out large seal populations, which are allegedly causing cod fisheries to crash. What’s more, Canadian officials tell everyone who will listen that the harp seal population is “exploding,” growing from 1.8 million in 1970 to 5.2 million today. What they don’t tell everyone is the history behind those numbers: Over hunting in the 1960s diminished the seal population to a low of 1.8 million. Today’s 5.2 million figure represents a recovery, not an explosion.
In addition, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that harp seals are preventing the recovery of cod, let alone causing their decline.
Even in Newfoundland, where 90% of sealers live, income from sealing accounts for less than one-tenth of 1% of the province’s economy. Sealers are fishermen who engage in several fisheries throughout the year, and sealing revenues account for only about one twentieth of their total incomes.
The economic contribution of the seal hunt is marginal at best. Ninety-eight percent of the landed value of Newfoundland’s fishery comes from fish, while only 2% comes from seals.
It is important to note that Newfoundland’s fishery has never been wealthier in its history, and that the growth is due largely to shellfish.
29
@ Erik A. Drablas:
No offense, but if you say that killing with the hakapik, is a painless and humane way, than I have strong questions about your moral principals.
Even looking from a pure practical point (and not moral or whatever), killing with a weapon like a hakapik, is like doing an amputation with a woodsaw, and no anestetics. It is brutal, and really disgusting. Leaving the bodys behind, is above all showing no respect, for the gifts we receive from Mother Nature. Whe should use them wisely!
30
Here is a link with many archives on the Radio-Canada Web site on this particular subjet. FYI
http://archives.radio-canada.ca/IDD-0-17-1023/politique_economie/chasse_phoques/
31
While the seal hunt appears to be inhumane in that video, it’s important to realize that most corporate raised meat products (eggs, poultry, beef, and especially pork) are also incredibly inhumane industries...at least in in the US. Humans, overall, aren’t terribly concerned with animal welfare overall in many parts of the world.
It’s easy to assume all seals are hunted that way, and that it’s all incredibly inhumane. That may or may not be true. The arguments for the need for the hunt may or may not be true. It’s important to understand as much as you can about the issue.
32
@Darrel: It’s important to raise awareness of such saddening practices. May or may not be true, well the only REAL truth is that we ALL are responsible for what is happening in the ocean, air, etc… right now. We now pay the price for more then 20 years of ignoring things. The problem now is that we aren’t the only generation, there are still many to come and if we want to give them the same beautiful things that nature has to offer we now need to make sacrifices. Making that kind of decisions is hard and unpopular but they are much needed. In the end, real progress means making difficult choices. And this requires political courage. Ignoring things is probably the worst we can do. And be honest do we need fur?
33
You have a very good point Verle, and I strongly support your statements. I am and avid hunter and nature lover. Throughout the years, I have learned that there is a difference between hunting and killing. Hunting is important to prezerve natural balance especialy today. Today, where the most of natures predators are being illeagaly killed and are hanging on the wall of some corporate fatass’s log cabin wall above the fireplace, there is a need of responsible hunters. Even though is strictly monitored and regulated here in the US, you still see people who pop up on the news because they were not in compliance with federal or state hunt. reg’s. I reffere to those people as the “scum of the earth”. Anyways, I allways thought canadians were more nature preservists than they apearantly are.
Veerle, on the other note, that should not be the reason you choose not to visit canada. I would recomend it. I go there once in a while when I miss europe. Canada has very much of European setting to it. I should be fun. Dont go where they kill seals.
34
I signed too ... also I think it’s common sense to create some extra awareness about our environment in general. Starting with our kids and create some kind of bottom-up awareness ! Future will tell if we were right or not .
People buy with emotion ...and justify with common sense!
35
@Veerle
I would like to apologize for the apparent rudeness of my comment. I did not mean for it to come out that way, but it was mostly a result of my bad english and that I had to shorten my comment. I guess I should have split it instead of compressing it.
When I said that there’s no international pressure it sounded like I was simply denying the truth, but what I meant to say was that that trade and fishing organisations approve of the hunt.
â€â€¦concluded that governmental regulations were neither being respected nor enforced…â€
Exactly what I was saying. The hunt is not the problem. The lack of controls is.
â€The government claims that the hunt is necessary to thin out large seal populations, which are allegedly causing cod fisheries to crash.â€
Let me answer that with a quote from the Canadian Government site:
â€The commercial seal quota is established based on sound conservation principles, not an attempt to assist in the recovery of groundfish stocks.â€
And the â€invasion†problem actually was a Norwegian one, not Canadian.
@frédéric:
Not sure if it was directed at me, but I do feel disgusted when I see the movies. Of course I do. As disgusted as I would get if I saw any other inhumane treatment of animals, but it is already illegal to treat the seals like that.
@kMikaZu:
Did you completely overlook that I said “when used properly”? The sealers in the movies are obviously not using them properly. When used properly death is instant and the animals feel as little or less pain than when their throats are slit or electrocuted in slaughterhouses.
If you guys feel the need to demonstrate against the Canadian government, by all means do, but don’t stop there. Stop eating eggs from chickens pent up in tiny cages wading in their own shit. Stop eating meat from animals thrown around in packed transports. Heck, become a vegeterian. It’s not that hard if you really feel like you want to do something. (Or you could just do as I do; buy eggs from free-ranging chickens, milk from ecological farms and similar products.)
And Veerle, if you still hate my guts just for having a different view(not opposing, just different), don’t harbor any bad feelings against Canadians. I’m from Norway, the country where we actually have the money and opportunity to enforce the rules we have for sealing.
36
@lauras, well said ;-)
@Erik A. Drablos: “Stop eating eggs from chickens pent up in tiny cages wading in their own shit. Stop eating meat from animals thrown around in packed transports. Heck, become a vegeterian. It’s not that hard if you really feel like you want to do something. (Or you could just do as I do; buy eggs from free-ranging chickens, milk from ecological farms and similar products.)”
Here there are strict regulations on how to transport animals, it is all regulated by law how much space they need to have as a minimum, it’s not like you describe, such things aren’t possible here and if there is an exception it won’t take long before they’re caught and consequences will follow. If there were practices like this then I would draw my conclusions and stop buying this food or products immediately. But again, it is not about the meat here, remember it’s for the fur? In other words pointless. Also I never said I hated Canadians, I only hate things that are purely driven by money. BTW I don’t hate your guts for having a different opinion, I’m not that narrow minded.
Thank you to those who signed the petition and care.
37
Hmm, my comment got trashed, but, for the record, I did sign and I comment Veerle for bringing this to mine (and our) attention.
As someone who has family in Canada: It’s true that most Canadians are against it, and it’s true that on the whole it doesn’t amount to much economicaly.
The problem, economicaly, is that for the hunters it’s basicly the only real form of available work. The whole _regional_ economy depends on it, that’s pretty much the biggest reason it hasn’t been stopped already.
38
Veerle, you have a great site and do great things! I have signed the petition but not yet watched the movie. Such cruelty fits nowhere..I live in a shore town in NJ directly across from the Atlantic Ocean. Just this week 2 seals washed up and were rescued by our Marine Mammal Stranding Center (over an hour away). One is to be set free next week. The other pup under a month old was watched by our Humane Society until the rescue got to it. People who slaughter animals disgust me!
39
As a kid growing up in Canada, there was a big furor about the seal hunt when Tourism Canada decided that it would make good selling points in a promo video. The outrage was palpable and the end effect that the hunt wasn’t stopped, but rather pushed underground.
If you think, however, that there are standards in place in the US or Canada with regards to the way that animals meant for consumption are treated, then I ask you to visit http://www.petatv.com/ - particularly the KFC videos. Torture is a regular part of the meat industry in this part of the world. Stopeating death.
40
GO VEGETARIAN! GO VEGETARIAN! GO VEGETARIAN!
41
Thank goodness I’ve come across someone else (more people) that share my views that we need to stop this culling.
I get sent out regular emails from IFAW, and just feel like getting the message out there to everyone…
Keep spreading the word, and let’s do something about this :)
42
I should tell you… those types of seals are indeeded killed… BUT NOT the baby seals that IFAW promotes! The white coat is gone! Baby seals are not killed anymore. Just tought you should know…
That said, IFAW is a grey company… making over 30-45 million dollars promoting the Canadain seal hunt which number in the millions (and growing!)… they should talk the seals around Italy that number around 500!
Food for thought.