Seal Hunt
Take Action
- Letter Writing
- Make a phone call
Letter Writing
Send letters to:
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
Email: pm@pm.gc.ca
A couple of background points:
The commercial seal hunt is inherently cruel. A 2001 study conducted by an international team of veterinarians who observed the hunt concluded that up to 42% of seals are skinned alive while fully conscious. In the past five years, the DFO has received video evidence of more than 660 violations of Canada's criminal code and the Marine Mammal Regulations that govern the hunt. They have refused to lay a single charge as a result.
The Seal Hunt is unsustainable. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans authorized the slaughter of more than a million seals for the 2003-2005 seasons. They have abandoned all pretence of sustainability, and now admit that this is a deliberate strategy to reduce the seal population. This outrageous decision comes at a time when climate change is causing the habitat of ice breeding seals to disappear - posing a threat to the very survival of harp and hooded seals.
The DFO's most recent survey shows that the seal population is declining. To justify their actions, the DFO is trying to say that the seal population has been growing over the past few years, when their own studies show that it has been declining since 1996. In the past, reckless mismanagement, allowing slaughter levels that we are witnessing today, caused the seal population to dwindle to 2 million animals.
Sample Letter
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
(DATE)
Dear Prime Minister Harper:
I am writing to express my condemnation of the commercial seal hunt.
It was apparent that the Liberal Government held no regard for the welfare, or the very survival of the harp and hooded seals species, but I am hoping that the Conservatives will have a different approach.
I was horrified to learn of the 2001 report produced by an international team of veterinarians, which concludes that up to 42% of seals are skinned alive. It is deplorable that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans received this report, and still has refused to address the problem. Furthermore, I am aware that more than 660 thoroughly documented violations of the Canadian Criminal Code and Marine Mammal Regulations, including the skinning of live seals, have been submitted to the DFO - and that they have refused to lay a single charge in response.
It is absolutely unacceptable that the federal government of Canada has so deliberately and recklessly encouraged the decimation of a wildlife population that is beloved by people all over the world.
Recent polling clearly shows that close to 80% of Americans and Europeans oppose the seal hunt, with a substantial number willing to boycott Canadian products and tourism as a result. Certainly, your recent actions will guarantee a severe international backlash.
I demand that you act according to the will of the majority of Canadian people, 85% of whom believe that seals under a year of age should be protected from all hunting. End this cruel and unsustainable hunt for harp and hooded seals permanently.
Sincerely,
(your name and address)
