The Seal Hunt
The Seal Hunt It was reported by CTV news that a major seal cull is getting underway on the ice floes off Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government says it is necessary to keep the growing population from depleting cod stocks. The website for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the harp seals that are hunted are independent and self-reliant. Hunting of harp seal pups and hooded seal pups is prohibited. And the seal hunt provides income to 12,000 sealers and their families in Atlantic Canada. On the other hand, many animal rights groups say the practice is cruel. These are "uncounted kills" and not included in government catch numbers. While seals do eat cod, they also eat the fish who prey on cod, so removing seals could worsen cod stocks. I agree on animal rights groupsĄŻ opinion.