S.O.S (Save Our Seals)

Much controversy has erupted over Canadians’ need to host the annual seal hunt off the coast of the Atlantic.  This inhumane act has sparked much interest since the NDP’s MP, Ryan Cleary, of Newfoundland and Labrador announced his disapproval of the entire cause. He voiced his concerns a few weeks ago stating, “The day of the seal hunt may be nearing an end. Part of our history is also whaling … and the day came when the whaling industry stopped. Now is that day coming with the seal hunt? It just may be.” The newly elected MP further reasoned that seal fur only contributes $1 million to the industry, thus disproving its effectiveness. He appears to be standing strong against this treatment of seals despite the possible repercussions it could have on his career.

Many people, especially those living near the Atlantic Ocean, were outraged by Cleary’s comments as it is a vital component of their livelihood. According to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), “seal amounts to only a fraction of the $600-million Newfoundland fishery. But for some sealers, it represents up to one-third of their annual income. And in a province with jobless rates north of 15 per cent, they say that means even more.” Based on the feedback, this cause will have a direct impact on Cleary’s popularity within the province.

Canada, a typically forward thinking nation, is lagging in the worlds’ efforts to ban the sale of seal products, whereas the United States banned it in 1972.  Following suit the European Union announced its’ ban in 2009 along with the U.S. Senate unanimously passing Resolution 84, an immediate end to the annual seal slaughter.

Seal meat is not considered a favorable meal nor is it even a delicacy; seals are simply desired for their fur – if even that. If the utter inconvenience and cost efficiency of continuing this massacre won’t put an end to the slaughter than perhaps the sheer cruelty of the act can. The Washington Post describes it as,  

“[A] seal appearing to gasp for air, blood running from its nose as it lies on an ice floe. Not far away, a sealer sharpens his knife blade. The seal seems to be thrashing as its fur is sliced from its torso."

Thousands of seals are clubbed and killed for their beautiful white rich fur – purely to satisfy our consumer oriented lives.  One could possibly reason that this hunt should continue because it feeds hundreds of thousands of people, however that is not the case. Seal meat is typically unused and thrown away– proving the wastefulness of this industry. 

Could MP Ryan Cleary’s stand against the seal hunt result in Canada finally putting an end to this idiotic custom? Will Canada follow our peers, the United States and European Union, in helping to put an end to the ill treatment of our most innocent creatures? I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

How could anyone hurt this adorable face?