On June 23, Canada's 2007 internationally condemned seal hunt finally came to a close. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans reported a total of 215,388 harp seals slaughtered—one of the largest slaughters in recent history.
It was also one of the most tragic.
New evidence documenting the inherent cruelty of the hunt has now been broadcast around the world—and it's having an effect. International pressure to end the hunt is mounting; governments and business are taking measures against the hunt.
The HSUS' Rebecca Aldworth sees victory ahead: "We have truth and compassion on our side, and we are not alone. We are joined by governments and international seafood distributors the world over, who are using their power to ensure this is the last baby seal slaughter any of us will ever have to witness."
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Read Rebecca's Journal:
Rebecca Aldworth documented her ninth trip to the ice floes of Canada. Through her journal, witness the cruelty of the seal hunt and the devastating effects of diminishing habitat—and find out why this slaughter must be stopped. More>> |
In May, Aldworth traveled to Strasbourg, France, and presented 2007 seal hunt footage to the European Parliament. Parliamentarians were horrified and reiterated their support for a European Union ban of seal product trade.
The pending ban will be welcomed by many European nations; notably, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France recently joined the growing number of European countries ending their trade in seal products.
American seafood distributors are also taking action, using their purchasing power to stop the hunt.
In recent months, a number of restaurants signed on to the HSUS Canadian seafood boycott, including casinos in Las Vegas and California, as well as Green Valley Ranch, N9NE Steakhouse, Nero's, Siena Hotel Spa and Casino and the Stratosphere Hotel Tower in Las Vegas. And Casino Pauma and Ocean's Eleven in southern California are among latest to make their voices heard.
Also new to the boycott is major seafood distributor Fish King Seafood Company in California, as well as restaurants in Canada, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas and Vermont.
"The fate of the seals is not in the hands of the Canadian government or even the sealing industry," Aldworth said. "It lies with every person, company, and nation that says no to the seal hunt. It is in the hands of every person who takes action. It is in the hands of every politician who condemns the hunt and pursues a ban on seal products. This is a hunt that can be stopped, and make no mistake, we will end it."
