As you read this e-mail, Canadian fishermen are clubbing and shooting to death thousands of baby seals for their fur. Last week, The Humane Society of the United States was in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, documenting the first phase of Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt. We were there to expose this cruelty to the world as part of our campaign to stop the hunt once and for all.
Today, I want to update you on the dramatic events that have unfolded during the first weeks of the hunt.
Update from the Ice While in the icy waters of the Gulf, my team of observers and members of the media riding in our boats were continually harassed by sealers. Here is just a glimpse of what our dedicated team of experts witnessed and endured:
*Warning: This video contains some graphic images
http://stream.luxmedia501.com/?file=realimpact/hsus/2006-seal-hunt/overview_2006...The ProtectSeals Team catches Canadian fishermen in acts of aggression against both seals and humans.
*Warning: This video contains some graphic images
On the second day of the hunt, a sealing boat rammed one of our small inflatable boats, forcing it onto the ice, damaging the propeller, and endangering the lives of all aboard.
Later in the day, two other sealing vessels repeatedly charged at our inflatable boats, putting all observers at risk of capsizing. When the captain of The HSUS’s nearby vessel twice radioed the Canadian Coast Guard -- which was patrolling the waters ostensibly to ensure the safety of both sealers and observers -- for help, his calls were ignored.
After a sealing vessel chased down one of our small boats and forced it to maneuver quickly to avoid being crushed into the ice, officers of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans emerged from the vessel’s cockpit and arrested our team for allegedly violating the terms of our observation permits by supposedly coming within 10 meters of a sealing vessel. Seven legally permitted observers, including representatives of The HSUS and one media representative, were detained, and our footage of the hunt was immediately confiscated.
Although no charges have been filed against the observers, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has announced that The HSUS will not be allowed to observe the rest of the seal hunt. Right now we are exploring all legal options available.
But here's the real tragedy in this story. Yesterday, the hunt in the Gulf resumed, and it is estimated another 70,000 seals will be clubbed and shot to death over the next few days in this second phase of the hunt. Seals are dying at this moment by the tens of thousands, just for their fur. And by the time this year’s hunt closes in May, more than 325,000 baby seals will be dead in total, each one sacrificed for the relatively few dollars furriers pay for their skins.
How You Can HelpThe Canadian government and fishing industry have demonstrated repeatedly that they don’t care that the world condemns the seal hunt for its cruelty. A boycott of Canadian seafood will show them that the cost of continuing the seal hunt is simply too high. Already more than 400 restaurants and at least 280,000 individuals have pledged not to buy some or all seafood from Canada. Please print out this pledge form, take it to all the restaurants that sell seafood in your neighborhood, and ask them to sign it.
By forbidding The HSUS to observe this second phase of the hunt, the Canadian government is clearly trying to keep the world from seeing the cruelty it allows to take place on the ice. It is gambling that international outrage will abate and that the world will forget the hideous images we have already been able to broadcast to every continent. But the Canadian government will lose that gamble. With your support, I know that we can keep the pressure on Canada to end its shameful slaughter.
I want to thank you so much for your commitment to saving the seals. Remember that you can stay in touch with the campaign with up-to-the-minute news, videos, and actions throughout the hunt at
www.ProtectSeals.org.
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