tekdino wrote:Because it makes lots of money for Canada.
Not really. It provides a seasonal living for the people that do it. Their part of the country doesnt have much going on economically, so they are limited in their choices. approximately 270 000 harp seals are harvested, at about 100 dollars per hide(which is the bulk of the value in the animal). so the total seal hunt only brings in 27 000 000 dollars per year. Canada is the 12 or 13th largest economy in the world, with a Gross domestic product of around
1 274 000 000 000 compare that to 27 million..
0 000 027 000 000
not much at all.
The hunting limits are based on guidelines by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Harp seals have never been considered endangered and the Marine Animal Response Society, per March 2007, estimates the harp seal population in the world at 9.5 million. The products of the hunt are mostly used outside Canada. Canada's biggest market for seal pelts is Norway, and that is where pressure should be put to end the practice. Same with use by the fashion industry.
If Canada were to outlaw the seal hunt(and I would assume other countries like Russia would too) then there would develop a problem with criminals from other countries doing it illegally. Canada would have to police that. Much like the war on drugs, I dont see it being very successful. In that case, I would rather see it be done safely and legally by Canadians. We have enough trouble with European fishing vessels illegally fishing in our water. we dont need poachers and thieves too. A good example of outlawing animal products is the ban on ivory, especially elephants. It still happens, but now it supports criminals.
Once people give up on wearing that animal product, the hunt will disappear forever.
You'll notice famous protesters like Paul McCartney dont apply pressure to the fashion designers: they like to talk to them at parties. You wont see PETA throw blood on Donatella Versace, because she can afford to sue them. A sealer cannot.
And thats that. I'd like to see the seal hunt gone too, but I wanted to show the other side of the story to you guys.
StopSealHunting.zip
