Tell Canada It Has No Excuses Left For Seal Cull
- by: Judith B.
- recipient: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
The various justifications put forth to support the brutal cull of hundreds of thousands of harp seals in Canada have always been shaky. Now the argument that it is necessary "to protect fish stocks," always scientifically dubious, holds no water at all.
Climate change means seals are struggling to breed anyway. This year, it is predicted that thinning ice sheets over the Artic will lead to a very tough year for seals, with many if not most of the pups not surviving at all.
Last year, an estimated 80 percent of the pups died simply because of a lack of sea ice.
Too many seals is not going to be a problem, if indeed it ever was. The problem is now protecting them and their fragile habitat. The last thing in the world the seals needed is another brutal cull.
Tell the Canadian Government to stop the commercial seal hunt when the species is struggling to survive anyway.
We the undersigned ask that the Canadian Government cease the commercial harp seal hunt. Whether or not seals did once pose a threat to fish stocks, the species is now suffering the effects of climate change and overpopulation is certainly not an issue.
In 2011, an estimated 80% of that year's seal pups failed to survive simply because of decreasing sea ice. With harp seals now struggling to cope with new threats, a cull is completely unnecessary and could tip the populations of a once common species over the edge.
We ask that the Canadian Government finally face reality and recognise that the commercial seal hunt is not in any way beneficial. It does not help Canada’s wildlife, environment, reputation or even its fish stocks. We ask that the commercial harp seal hunt ends in 2012.
