Live Rural NL retaliates against Ellen’s stance of “Stop Seal Hunting in Canada”
Dear Ellen Degeneres -
I am deeply disappointed that you have chosen to become the latest celebrity to advocate against the Canadian Seal Hunt, joining forces with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). You have joined a growing list of mis-informed celebrity predecessors, including Beatle Paul McCartney and Playmate, Pamela Anderson. We only need to remember then Premier Danny Williams taking on Paul McCartney and Heather Mills-McCartney on Larry King Live. Danny Williams not only illustrated how un-educated Paul and now former wife was on the matter of the seal hunt, he also embarrassed them in terms of knowing their Canadian geography. Mr. Williams invited them to come to Newfoundland & Labrador to see for himself. Paul remarked along the lines that he was already there when really he was in Prince Edward Island, another province.
PETA is an organizations that uses images of baby seals and presents mis-information to create a cash infusion. Their website states: “PETA is drawing global attention to the annual slaughter of tens of thousands of baby harp seals”.
This statement is false! Myth: The Canadian government allows sealers to harvest white coat seals.
Reality: The harvesting of harp seal pups (white coats) and hooded seal pups (blueblack) is illegal in Canada and has been since 1987. The seals that are harvested are self-reliant, independent animals. (Source: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/seal-phoque/index-eng.htm)
Ellen your website states: Seal hunting is one of the most atrocious and inhumane acts against animals allowed by any government.
The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean’s manages the seal hunt, which is sustainable. One only has to look at the harp seal population growth. In the 1970′s there were less than 2 million seals, now in 2011 there is more than 9 million harp seals. The government allocates an annual harvest quota that is supported by scientific research. The Seal Hunt is HUMANE, STRICTLY REGULATED and ENFORCED. How is harvesting seals any more atrocious and inhumane than the fish that is caught, cows, chicken, pigs, moose and other animals that are killed for human consumption? What about cattle that are ranched and grown strictly for human consumption? They have no chance for anything but ending up as some form of beef, maybe a burger? Unlike seals, they are self-reliant, independent that can fend for themselves.
The seal hunt has been around in Newfoundland and Labrador for centuries. Without the seal meat, oil and skin for clothing many people of the rural communities would be burdened with economic hardships and other woes. The sealskin boot has provided the warmth and protection from the elements of surviving in a difficult winter climate. The seal skin is water-resistant, protecting the feet from getting damp when cutting firewood to heat one’s home. Seal skin provided necessary protection that may have saved human lives.
My father was a fisherman, his father and his father before him. They have all harvested seals to aid them in providing for their families. My father had prepared seal skin to be made into boots. I still proudly wear them, as winters in Northern Newfoundland tend to be very stormy. I walk knee-deep in snow, many days throughout winter to reach my car. I understand the deep-rooted tradition and the necessity of the seal hunt to ensure life in rural regions could continue. How dare you make such uninformed comments that continue to negatively impact the fishers in rural regions.
I ask that you do further research on this matter and re-consider your stance on the seal hunt. I invite you to come to Rural Newfoundland and Labrador to experience for yourself first-hand the seal hunt. You should use your celebrity status to do good instead of blatant abuse.
Live Rural NL -
Christopher Mitchelmore
Posted on April 7, 2011, in Heritage, Tradition and tagged canada, Danny Williams (politician), ellen, Ellen Degeneres, Harp Seal, hunt, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Quebec, seal, Seal hunting, sealskin. Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.
There are so many problems with this post.
Because an animal is self-reliant does not mean it’s able to defend itself or flee, especially from a human hunter armed with a hakapik.
Bludgeoning an animal to death for its skin is anything but humane. You’re right though, it isn’t any worse than what we do to other animals, especially those farmed for food. If you had done your research, however, you would know that Ellen is a vegan who also speaks out against the inhumane treatment of “fish…cows, chicken, pigs, moose and other animals that are killed for human consumption.” These animals are ALL worthy of protection.
The argument that the hunt has been around for centuries is weak. Child labour has been around for centuries, too, and has aided economic growth, but I don’t think anyone would reasonably advocate for that in 2011. Modern insulating material renders animal pelts unnecessary for warmth.
Hi Em -
I respect your comments; however, the seal hunt is regulated, managed and humane. Veterinarians have found that the hakapik, when properly used, is at least as humane as, and often more humane than, the killing methods used in commercial slaughterhouses, which are accepted by the majority of the public. Seals may only be harvested using efficient tools designed to kill the animal quickly such as high-powered rifles, shotguns firing slugs, clubs and hakapiks. All these methods are considered by experts to be humane.
You made the comment that bludgeoning an animal to death for its skin is anything but humane; however, many parts of the animal is utilized beyond just for the skin. Seals produce good meat that is rich in protein, which can assist the Northern rural diet. The oil can be used as it is rich in OMEGA 3 Fatty Acids. Bones can be grind into fertilizers and the penis as an aphrodesiac.
The harp seal population is growing from under 2 million in the early ’70s to over 9 million today. This growth is putting pressure on other species and habitats. Seals eat a high volume of fish, which also has negative impacts for our local small boat fishers that depend on this industry for survival. The fishery remains the backbone of our economy in the Great Northern Peninsula and without one our region would be devastated beyond our current conditions of stagnated growth.
Scientist research and monitor populations of species. In fact, just this past week, Park’s Canada announced it would have a moose cull at Gros Morne National Park and Terra Nova National Park. They estimate the there are 5,000 moose in Gros Morne alone with 150,000 moose in Newfoundland & Labrador which has a population of 510,000. These moose are destroying trees, placing pressure on birds and other species and changing the dynamics in the park. As well, they are having detrimental effects as people lose lives due to high concentration of moose and a number of moose-vehicle collisions.
The seal population is well-regulated. I state again these seals are self-reliant and independent. They are able to enjoy a quality of life, unlike those animals that are farmed for food and living in less than humane conditions. I respect Ellen’s decision to practise veganism and she should speak out against inhumane treatment of animals. It is quite frustrating to see animals caged, contained in less than acceptable habitats (ie. malls and others) and the torture some undergo.
Ellen Degeneres should be ashamed of using her clout to spread such mis-information about the Canadian seal hunt. It is truly propaganda that presents selective statements, such as the Canadian Government is allowing a record number of seals to be killed. If one looks at the population growth of the seal population, this quota is smaller in proportion to population from previous years. Whitecoats or Bluecoats are also not harvested.
The Seal Hunt was an absolute necessity when the island of Newfoundland was being settled. The harsh winter climate led many to starvation. The introduction of seals to the environment, created sustainability as it provided much nourishment to last through Spring before produce could be grown and fish caught. In Northern Rural Newfoundland we have lived off the land and sea and continue to do so today. We believe in managing our resources, so that there is a future for other generations. Although modern insulating material is available, these consumer products are typically made in China, where the human rights of the workers and environments are more than questionable. Supporting products made from large factories also increases polution and demand for non-renewable resources such as oil. The concept of using natural resources that are most local is of benefit, as the seal skin can provide warm boots, create local employment and the meat can be consumed. The research proves that the seal hunt is not posing a threat to the population of harp seals. More management and better utilization of local resources is needed to build a stronger rural economy.
Animals, nature, ecosystems and environments are extremely important to people of rural Newfoundland & Labrador. We have depended on them since the beginning of our time.
Live Rural NL-
Christopher Mitchelmore
Excuse me, but why is it inhumane to kill seals for their skins, but you’ll wear your leather jackets everywhere you go
Very well said, Christopher and Phillip. Even assuming Em is a vegan who doesn’t wear animal skins, her judgement is subjective and, going by the language she uses, is based on the lies of the animal rights industry. They have spent nearly half a century lying about and harassing sealers. The opponents of the seal hunt are frequently effete, judgemental urbanites who know nothing about the people they are defaming, much less about their way of life, who swallow the lies of the animal rights industry as though they were fact, and who feel they have the right to impose their misinformed ignorant “values” on people they don’t even know. In that, they are not unlike the European Imperialists of a couple of centuries ago: they think they have a duty to impose their “enlightened” ways on the poor benighted savages, and destroy their way of life while they’re at it.
They are also very much like the Robber Barons of the last century: industrialists whose profits come from the exploitation, harassment, and defamation of innocent working people for profit. Yet they tell themselves they are somehow more moral and “highly evolved” than the innocent people they attack. Don’t let them tell you “animal rights” is a movement. It is an industry based on the exploitation of the innocent for profit. And don’t let them tell you it’s about conservation or the environment either. Most of these people’s lifestyles do more damage to the environment in a year than the lifestyles of rural people do in their entire lives. That’s partly why they do this, I think. If they can be all “activist” about their fake little “animal rights” agenda, they can absolve themselves of the guilt of causing so much damage to the environment. Meanwhile, the people they are lying about and defaming are suffering the effects of that environmental damage.
Thank you Ford for providing such insightful comments that factor in the broader scope of society. You make some very good points.
Don’t call this the Canadian Seal Hunt. As a Canadian (and a vegan, before you try and call me a hypocrite), I am ashamed by that label. This is a Maritime Seal Hunt.
Mariana -
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, the last time I checked the Maritimes (which comprise Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick and exclude Newfoundland & Labraodr) are all part of Canada. In addition, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec and the Northern Territories participate in the Canada Seal Hunt. Many provinces are represented and participate.
Live Rural NL -
Christopher Mitchelmore
While it’s offensive to imply that the Maritime Provinces aren’t part of Canada, it’s frustrating that when people from outside the Maritimes dare question the seal hunt, they are branded as “effete, judgemental urbanites”. As the seal hunt is the CANADIAN seal hunt, and impacts the world’s view (and trading relationships) with our country, it’s important that the voices of all Canadians are heard. While those who live in the area might know about the local traditions and history, all Canadians have a stake (and a right to be heard) in this issue.
Anti seal hunting starts with animal rights. Read the bible and genesis gives man stewardship over animals. Animal rights do not accept this, saying that every animal that experiences life does so equally and must be treated equally. They do not acknowledge that humans differ from other animals that they use logic and reasoning to instinct before performing an action. There reasoning goes from bizarre, they would not rescue humans before animals, would not have a heart valve replacement (made from a pig or a cow) or feed their baby’s infant formulae if the mother could not breast feed. (Even baby formulae made from soya contains animal ingredients, pure soya milk will leave the baby undernourished probably fatally).
The more extreme animal rights who have thought their theory right through, reduce the human population to a few million (The nourishment reduction plan, food wars etc.) living in tiny villages inside a world wild wilderness, vegetarians defending their crops from other animals by passive means, fences.
When I was a little boy in England after the war we had food rationing, even bread was rationed, we also had a plague of rabbets who eat 5% of the cereal crop or a slice from every loaf. Cute cuddly bunnies where seen as a pest, a popular song of the time was run rabbet run run, here comes the farmer with his gun gun. Shooting rabbets was not effective in controlling them, the introduction of that terrible disease myximatosis was and still is.
I can see no difference between a farmer shooting rabbets to control their numbers and a fisherman shooting Seals. The farmer has invested in land and seed to earn a living the fisherman in a boat and gear and a fishing licence. They are both entitled to a return on their investment and labours. Remember each seal eats 5 kilos or over a tonne of fish per year, may be if you have not been a hungry little boy you won’t understand the importance of not wasting food.
Animal rights groups like IFAW, Sea Shepherd, PETA et al, found a very lucrative way to raise millions of dollars, using propaganda about the seal hunt. If we are rational seal numbers must be controlled so that we can eat. A hunt makes use of the dead animal, there is no difference moral between wearing seal fur or a piece of leather, they are both the skins of dead animals. Animals are a renewable resource making use of them is an ecologically sound practise.
If you are an animal lover, donate to charities that do good deeds, not those engaged politics, even the RSPCA in the UK has been infiltrated by animal rights and engages in politics to the point where its charitable status is in jeopardy. Watch out for propaganda, headless chickens don’t run around in my experience they flap their wings, called a reflex action. Dead animals kick with their hind legs called a running reflex. Dead seals have a swimming reflex, a lot of anti sealing propaganda claims that the animal is still alive, because not a lot of us have experience of death.
Very well said!It would actually be, morally,wrong for the seal hunters to not use the seal in its entirety. And as a Newfoundlander and a member of our Global world, I can respect someone else’s decision to be a Vegan, so why can they not accept my decision to eat meat and support our local sealing industry!
As an animal lover living in Rural Newfoundland, I have a big problem every year when I see seals on the highway, around buildings in the towns and dead in streams 10 to 15 miles inshore , where in their search for food, trout and salmon, they have died of starvation because the ocean no longer has the feed to sustain them. Starvation is a long and very painful death and that is what’s happening. I could never imagine myself killing anything but I do eat meat. I believe any type of approved and regulated hunting has to be more humaine than starvation.
I see this in other species too!When I was growing up and crows or seagulls were becoming too plentiful, they were often shot because they were becoming pests and trying to raid garbages,etc. Has anyone seen the massive amounts of crows and sea gulls that fly back and forth from Robin Hood Bay and the Stavenger Drive area everyday! These birds will run out of food and are probably already starving!Where is the humanity and responsibilty to our earth when we watch another creature slowing and painfully die from lack of nourishment!
Mis-informed celebrities, just looking for the sympathy spotlight! Misinformed and misguided!
Every year it’s the same for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It seems our traits of being friendly and hospitable are forgotten and we are transformed into a group of savages which stems from lies and misinformation from these activist groups. Have they not learned that throughout the years when a particular species population grows out of control it threatens other species. There has to be control and regulation of these seals or these celebrities will not be able to enjoy there lovely fish meals at their high end expensive restaurants anymore.
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