Observers of the Canadian seal hunt in court

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

On October 18th 5 people, including Respect for Animals’ Mark Glover will go on trial for documenting Canada’s commercial seal hunt.

After being repeatedly charged by a sealing vessel in March 2006, the observers were accused of being within the required 10 metre distance from seal hunters. They were not, and have the evidence to prove it.

These trumped-up charges are part of the Canadian government’s desperate campaign to block observation of the hunt. Just months ago, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) proposed to double the distance observers must remain from seal hunters, making documenting cruelty violations even more difficult. And now the DFO wants to give the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans even more power to refuse any person an observation permit for the seal hunt - for any reason - for five years.

The government and sealers are desperate. One by one, nations are closing their markets to Canadian seal products, while legions of individuals and companies are joining the boycott of Canadian seafood. The Canadian government and sealing industry know they must do something to take the pressure off.

But rather than address the extreme cruelty documented each and ever year, they are trying to eliminate that documentation.

We are fighting for our rights to be there for the seals and to expose the illegal abuse that is unleashed on the unsuspecting baby seals each year.  Please visit this site regularly for updates on the trial.

What You Can Do
People from around the world are voicing their support for Respect for Animals, The Humane Society International and The Humane Society of the United States at http://www.hsicanada.ca/seals/seals_trial/seals_team_supporter_statements.html. If you would like to add a message of support, please e-mail mandy@respectforanimals.org

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