Humane Society International/Canada and The Humane Society of the United States today warned Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Ron Chisholm and Loyola Hearn, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans not to expand the grey seal hunt in Canada.
"Global markets for seal products are closing and the best available science indicates seals are a vital part of our already fragile ocean ecosystem," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of animal programs for Humane Society International/Canada. "Any discussion of expanding the grey seal hunt is irresponsible and stands in stark contrast to world opinion. This is political posturing at its worst in the run-up to a federal election."
Humane Society International/Canada and the Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition observed the Hay Island grey seal slaughter firsthand in 2008. Observers filmed and photographed as sealers herded seals into groups, then clubbed moulted pups with wooden bats and cut them open with box cutters just inches away from newborn pups and their mothers.
"As a Nova Scotian and a human being, I was absolutely horrified by what I saw at the Hay Island grey seal hunt this year," said Bridget Curran, of the Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition. "Nova Scotians will not tolerate an expansion of this cruel slaughter."
Humane Society International/Canada is evaluating legal initiatives to prevent the Nova Scotian government from allowing seal hunting in protected nature reserves including Hay Island and Sable Island. Under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act, the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment can only allow hunting in protected spaces if it is proven it will aid in the restoration of indigenous biodiversity of the protected area. However, neither the DFO nor the Nova Scotian government have offered any evidence that grey seals negatively impact the ecology of any protected area in Nova Scotia.
Aldworth cautions that expanding the grey seal hunt in any area will have economic consequences. "Nova Scotia's economy relies on seafood exports to the United States, where all commercial seal hunting is illegal," said Aldworth. "Already, The HSUS ProtectSeals' boycott of Canadian seafood, which was launched because of Canada's commercial seal hunt, has gained the support of 4,000 businesses and 600,000 people in the United States. If Nova Scotia's fishermen continue to push for an expanded grey seal hunt, the Nova Scotia fishing industry will pay the price."
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Humane Society International is the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
