Baby seals under threat?

Canada’s annual seal hunt can be considered as one of the largest commercial hunt of marine mammals on the planet.

The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced the total allowable harp seal catch for 2008 has been set at 275,000, out of a herd of more than 5.5 million. “The seal hunt is an economic mainstay for numerous rural communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the North,” said Minister Hearn. “It’s with these people in mind we make decisions based on science to help maintain an economically viable and sustainable seal hunt.”

It occurs mainly at this period of the year in the East coast of Canada more particularly in the area of the Gulf of St Laurence & Newfoundland (see below map points in red – copyright of the map www.maptown.com).

The hunt is facing harsh world criticism because of its cruelty – mainly on baby seals as the purpose is just to sell their skin.