Figure of speech -
Protesters will be out in full force because it's that time of year again.
It's sealing season and the animal activists and green peace enthusiasts will be actively involved with their anti-sealing campaign throughout the Internet and television/broadcast media.
The clubbing (from decades ago) and the skinning of an oh-so-cute and cuddly baby seal while alive is seen on almost every website you Google for anti-sealing. However, in their research of methods, would it have killed them (no pun intended) to do some research along the way?
The fact is that those adorable white, fluffy poster pups are in fact not the seals that are part of the great Canadian seal hunt. It's illegal in Canada to hunt newborn harp seals, also known as "white coats" or hunt young, hooded seals (bluebacks).
The other fact is that the majority (90 per cent) of Canadian commercial seal hunters kill by firearm. By law the sealer cannot commence to skin or bleed a seal until the seal is confirmed dead.
Canadians are also not the only country/region in the world that have an annual seal hunt. Greenland, Namibia, Russia and Norway are all actively involved in the killing and selling of seals around the world.
In Newfoundland, sealing goes back to the 1700s, while First Nations people have been hunting seals for at least 4,000 years. The seal hunt played an important role in our history. A meal of seal provided an important source of fat, vitamin A, B12, protein and iron and their pelts helped keep our ancestors warm. Seal oil also provided lamp fuel, cooking oil and even soap.
Now the commercial seal hunt in Newfoundland contributes approximately $6 million to the Newfoundland GDP. That's $6 million that wouldn't otherwise be contributed into the local economy. The hunt helps employ a number of fishermen and suppliers, all having a significant impact on local markets.
I know that in among all the protesting, seals have become a great example of conservation and animal welfare campaigns. However, seals are also a great importance to our fishery and to our hard working fishermen. It's extra income where needed in a dying industry.
I love animals, so don't get me wrong, but to all those who protest our annual seal hunt I ask you this -what is your stand on abortion?
Approximately 400,000 seals are killed each year during our seal hunt, but over 48 million children are lost to abortion each year around the world. You may want to rethink your cause.
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