Join the Club (a Seal) - Move to Canada
February 8th, 2007
Whether you’re on the Humane Society’s side or that of the Canadian government, who supports the activity of fur traders who now club more seals than ever before, this is a controversial subject. How much discretion should a sovereign nation have when it comes to killing young animals en masse? Some would say that if it’s Canada’s law, then outsiders shouldn’t interfere. Yet others defend the animals, who can’t vote and protest for themselves. The following video depicts seals as young as a week old being clubbed by Canadians who continue the tradition of harvesting the soft, whit fur of these young animals.
Of all animals, I happen to be particularly fond of seals, since I go diving with them at least a couple times per month, during the winter. Our harbor seals are not as cute as the fluffy little bugger in the photo, but they’re incredibly graceful and fun-loving to dive with - as they hunt with our dive lights on night dives.
Update: Given the response from a thread on Scubaboard, it appears that the general consensus from that site is that there’s nothing wrong with clubbing seals. I would even say that most who participated in the discussion are in support of it (or at least very entertained by the thought). The primary reasons for support I’ve been able to ascertain from the statements there are:
- The use of clubs, or ‘hakapiks‘, is actually a very humane way to kill seals.
- Seal populations must be reduced because they are driving Cod to extinction in those waters. (note: overfishing by humans likely put the cod population in this position in the first place)
- Seal hunting is a sport, akin to hunting for deer.
- Slaughterhouses treat cattle, etc. much less humanely than seal hunters treat seals.
- Seal fur makes for good [insert clothing/accessory here]s.
- Killing of seals (and other populous animals, such as kangaroos) is generally needed and fun.
These sentiments are surprising, coming from members of Scubaboard (rather than a group like the NRA). It goes to show you that you can’t judge a group’s position on a controversial topic based simply on shared membership in a recreational capacity, even if that recreation generally takes place among the subjects of controversy. I’m not saying that the folks from that SB thread are wrong, since that is not the purpose of this article - it is just enlightening to see what people think, when the topic is raised. As one SB poster succinctly stated, “i love baby seal threads”.
Here are a couple illustrations that summarize Wardric’s feelings on the topic - an SB member who I gather chimes in often on this subject:
Entry Filed under: Environment
4 Comments
Add your ownApril 1st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Hi Calvin. Just read the post and wanted to point out some thing. You responded to the ascertion that harp seals were driving cod stocks to extinction by saying humans had put them in that position in the first place. I suspect this is true, but I wanted to give you some more information in case you didn’t already have it. I can only speak for Newfoundland, where the hunt is well practised.
-harp seals take more cod than inshore fisherman (typically the same people going out and clubbing the seals) and did even when there wasn’t a moratorium or limitation
-the moritorium on inshore cod fishing in newfoundland has been lifted in favour of a limit of five cod per person with a maximum of 15 cod per boat
-unlike seals, newfies won’t take young or pregnant cod but throw them back. newfies, unlike seals, are aware that a pregnant or young cod will benefit them (or someone) more in the water than in the boat.
-the depletion of the cod stock is primarily the result of large european, american and canadian corporations who wish to get as much saleable meat as possible at one time with almost no regard given to the environmental impact of the process
-the seal hunt has been going on for hundreds of years. though there are more sealers lately, there are also more seals. if this isn’t a renewable resource, nothing is. sure they’re cute. they’re also a great way to keep your family warm and fed
In short, I wanted to say that it saddens me greatly when I see people expending all this energy railing against the seal hunt. There are far, far worse things in the world than doing an ugly task in order to support your household. Unless there was a very good reason to think otherwise such as stock depletion, I wouldn’t give any more thought to someone clubbing a seal than I would to someone swatting a mosquito. There’s less reason to kill a mosquito, but because seals have something we recognize as blood and look like plush toys when they’re babies, it bother people a lot more. It’s unfortunate because there are real dangers and problems to get upset and make noise about, but they aren’t looking at us with soulful eyes. They’re sitting in board rooms thinking about how to control the money so it makes them more money at the expense of the environment or social justice.
Wanted to share my point of view since you made me think. Sweet blog!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:59 am
what on earth is wrong with these demented people?!??! do they have any self-concsiousnes?!??! Im 12 AND I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS RETARDED MENTALL CRAZY SPORT.. HEY CANADIANS?!?!??!
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CLUBBED ON THE HEAD U DEMENTED PEOPLE?!
November 17th, 2007 at 11:12 am
What the hell are you doing to these adorable creatures!!!!
People are making the extinction of cod not seals!!!
The people who think that this sport is fun their really stupid gready morons
How would you like your children killed to death beaten by a club
huh? how would you feel
Our population is growing as the same as theirs so why dont we kill our children too!
You are sick people
I’m 12 for god’s sake im totallly against this act and im going to do something about this crazy mentally retarded sport!!!!
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
First and foremost, I am Canadian. I do not support the seal hunt. It seems anyone not from Canada are generalizing when they talk about the subject and pointing the finger at all Canadians. Just like every country, there are always 2 sides.
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