Again , from the Canada web site FAQ:
"6. What types of weapons are used to kill seals?
Sealers use a variety of tools to hunt seals. Ninety per cent of sealers on the ice floes on the Front (in the waters east of Newfoundland), where the majority of the hunt occurs, use firearms. Sealers in the Magdelen Islands (Gulf of St. Lawrence) and on Quebec's Lower North Shore traditionally use clubs or hakapiks. A hakapik is an efficient tool designed to kill the animal quickly and humanely. Marine Mammal Regulations state that sealers must strike the seal on the skull until it's crushed, and administer a blinking eye reflex test or manually check the skull.
7. How has the Canadian government proven its commitment to the humane treatment of seals?
The Marine Mammal Regulations stipulate that persons can only dispatch marine mammals in a manner designed to do so quickly. Under these regulations, seals may be killed only by the use of high-powered rifles, shotguns firing slugs, clubs and hakapiks.
Licensing policy requires a commercial sealer to work under an experienced sealer for two years to obtain a professional licence. Sealers are also encouraged to take a training course on proper hunting techniques, product preparation and handling. Personal use sealers must have a hunter's capability certificate or big game licence and attend mandatory training sessions before a licence can be issued.
In April 2003, the Marine Mammal Regulations were amended to establish the practice of administrating the blinking eye reflex test for a clearer determination of death. Sealers must also land the entire carcass or pelt to ensure the fullest possible commercial use of the animal and to prevent seals from being harvested strictly for their organs.
8. How old must harp and hooded seals be before hunters can take them?
Harp seals can be legally hunted once they have moulted their white coat, which occurs at about 12-14 days of age. However, they are not usually hunted until they reach the "beater" stage of development at around 25 days old. Blueback (hooded) seals moult their coat as early as 15 to 16 months of age, at which time they can be hunted. The seals hunted are self-reliant, independent animals.
9. Why do hunters target young animals?
Young harp seals between approximately 3-4 weeks and one year of age are called beaters - so named because they tend to slap the water when they swim. Beater seals provide the most valuable pelts and market conditions are stronger for this type of pelt.
14. Are the hunting methods supported by veterinarians or non-governmental organizations?
The Government of Canada (GOC) has strict regulations to ensure a humane hunt. Canada's Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing has found that the methods currently used in hunting seals compare favourably to those used to kill any other wild or domestic animal.
In addition, an independent veterinarians report published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal also found that the large majority of seals taken during the seal hunt (98%) are killed in an acceptably humane manner (see their September 2002 report - Animal Welfare and the Harp Seal Hunt in Atlantic Canada - http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?
tool=pmcentrez&artid=339547) Any violations of Canada's regulations are taken very seriously - over 200 charges have been laid by the GOC against sealers since 1996.
15. What is DFO doing to monitor the hunt?
The seal hunt is closely monitored and tightly regulated to ensure the animals are killed in a quick and humane manner. Fishery Officers monitor sealing activity on the ice, ensure humane harvesting practices, and enforce regulations and licence conditions.
Fishery Officers conduct surveillance of the seal hunt by means of aerial patrols, at-sea patrols, dockside inspections of vessels at landing sites and inspections at buying/processing facilities. Independent observers are also deployed on sealing vessels to monitor compliance with regulations.
DFO works with veterinarians, experienced sealers and industry representatives to ensure the animals are dispatched and processed in the most humane way possible.
Link: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/faq_e.htm
"6. What types of weapons are used to kill seals?
Sealers use a variety of tools to hunt seals. Ninety per cent of sealers on the ice floes on the Front (in the waters east of Newfoundland), where the majority of the hunt occurs, use firearms. Sealers in the Magdelen Islands (Gulf of St. Lawrence) and on Quebec's Lower North Shore traditionally use clubs or hakapiks. A hakapik is an efficient tool designed to kill the animal quickly and humanely. Marine Mammal Regulations state that sealers must strike the seal on the skull until it's crushed, and administer a blinking eye reflex test or manually check the skull.
7. How has the Canadian government proven its commitment to the humane treatment of seals?
The Marine Mammal Regulations stipulate that persons can only dispatch marine mammals in a manner designed to do so quickly. Under these regulations, seals may be killed only by the use of high-powered rifles, shotguns firing slugs, clubs and hakapiks.
Licensing policy requires a commercial sealer to work under an experienced sealer for two years to obtain a professional licence. Sealers are also encouraged to take a training course on proper hunting techniques, product preparation and handling. Personal use sealers must have a hunter's capability certificate or big game licence and attend mandatory training sessions before a licence can be issued.
In April 2003, the Marine Mammal Regulations were amended to establish the practice of administrating the blinking eye reflex test for a clearer determination of death. Sealers must also land the entire carcass or pelt to ensure the fullest possible commercial use of the animal and to prevent seals from being harvested strictly for their organs.
8. How old must harp and hooded seals be before hunters can take them?
Harp seals can be legally hunted once they have moulted their white coat, which occurs at about 12-14 days of age. However, they are not usually hunted until they reach the "beater" stage of development at around 25 days old. Blueback (hooded) seals moult their coat as early as 15 to 16 months of age, at which time they can be hunted. The seals hunted are self-reliant, independent animals.
9. Why do hunters target young animals?
Young harp seals between approximately 3-4 weeks and one year of age are called beaters - so named because they tend to slap the water when they swim. Beater seals provide the most valuable pelts and market conditions are stronger for this type of pelt.
14. Are the hunting methods supported by veterinarians or non-governmental organizations?
The Government of Canada (GOC) has strict regulations to ensure a humane hunt. Canada's Royal Commission on Seals & Sealing has found that the methods currently used in hunting seals compare favourably to those used to kill any other wild or domestic animal.
In addition, an independent veterinarians report published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal also found that the large majority of seals taken during the seal hunt (98%) are killed in an acceptably humane manner (see their September 2002 report - Animal Welfare and the Harp Seal Hunt in Atlantic Canada - http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?
tool=pmcentrez&artid=339547) Any violations of Canada's regulations are taken very seriously - over 200 charges have been laid by the GOC against sealers since 1996.
15. What is DFO doing to monitor the hunt?
The seal hunt is closely monitored and tightly regulated to ensure the animals are killed in a quick and humane manner. Fishery Officers monitor sealing activity on the ice, ensure humane harvesting practices, and enforce regulations and licence conditions.
Fishery Officers conduct surveillance of the seal hunt by means of aerial patrols, at-sea patrols, dockside inspections of vessels at landing sites and inspections at buying/processing facilities. Independent observers are also deployed on sealing vessels to monitor compliance with regulations.
DFO works with veterinarians, experienced sealers and industry representatives to ensure the animals are dispatched and processed in the most humane way possible.
Link: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/faq_e.htm
There is a difference ! I can see how you can be be against cruellty to animals ( I am) and pro-choice at the same time. I think is is nore problematic when you are anti-abortion ( or pro-life) but pro death penality , or support wars that kill many borned childreen as collateral dammage.
