The annual hunt of harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in Atlantic Canada is contested at the start of nearly every season, with celebrities, politicians, and the public actively weighing in on the matter. Within all of the dialogue and debate, there can be a lot of bias and misrepresentation of facts advocating for or against the seal hunt. Thus, the true sustainable aspects of the industry are drowned out and lost due to the sheer amount of controversy surrounding the issue. Sustainability entails meeting the needs of today without sacrificing the needs of the future (“Sustainable Development” 1). The concept of sustainable resource development involves support pillars that represent economics, society, and the environment. Seal …show more content…
Contemporary dishes like seal flipper pie have also contributed to the cultural identity of Newfoundland society. As a result of these strong cultural ties, commercial and subsistence sealing continues to exist through legal policy by demand from both government and society. The policies that govern seal hunting are based on a sustained yield principle that does not compromise the harvest for future generations, and are thus in accordance with sustainable aspects of resource development. Economic benefits gained from the seal hunt include an increase in trading relationships for Canada and the stimulation of the provincial economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. As reported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the total landed value of the seal harvest for 2006 was $34.3 million dollars (“Market” 1). This figure represents a historic high, when market prices per pelt were favourable. Regardless, the money brought in from seal hunting is said to have a “trickle-down” effect on other sectors of the economy (“Market” 1). Canada has historically been the leading exporter of seal products in the global marketplace, and had exported over $70 million in product between 2005 and 2011 (“Market” 1) Nationally, the seal hunt has enabled Canada to forge new trading relationships in the international community, as evidenced by a 2011 deal between Canada and China. The
A Review of “The Devil and Deep Blue Sea” by Linda Pannozzo Introduction In her book The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: An Investigation into the Scapegoating of Canada’s Grey Seal, Linda Pannozzo accomplishes few important things: she makes a compelling argument for the senseless killing of grey seal; she provides an analytic framework for the reasons of the decline of cod fish; and she provides a wealth of information on the politic behind scapegoating of Canada’s grey seal. Pannozzo presents The Devil and Deep Blue Sea in a clear and unbiased matter, but its presentation is by no mean elementary. Pannozzo’s book is meticulously researched, thus providing us with both quantitative and statistical account surrounding seal ways of life, their diet, history and other necessary aspects of marine life ecosystem. Book Summary
“ The story of the whale is so remarkable, that were there not so many witnesses, I would not venture to tell it, lest I be accused of exaggeration.”
Hunting and fishing have been a part of the past and present of America and all around the world for as far back as the world dates. As far back as we can date, people have always hunted and fished. Back then they needed to because people need food to survive. Now hunting and fishing are starting to become sports. You may think that hunting and fishing can harm the environment, but there are many positive things about them. Hunting and fishing can have some positive effects and negative effects on the environment and economy, so if you don’t really agree with hunting and fishing maybe these facts will change your mind.
The problem with plastic ending up in the ocean is that marine life is being harmed by the presence of it. A study done on the harbor seals in the Netherlands found that more than 12% had plastic in the digestive system (California Coastal Commission). The list of affected species indicates that marine debris is affecting a significant number of species. It affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species (Save our shores). The problem is underestimated because the marine life that ingests plastic or dies from entanglement often goes undiscovered due to the vastness of the ocean, as they either sink or are eaten by predators before they are discovered (Plastic Debris). The potential harm from ingestion of plastics is not restricted to seabirds. Plastic bags drifting on ocean currents resemble the prey of turtles. There is evidence that their survival is being hindered by plastic debris with young sea turtles being vulnerable (Ocean pollution). Over the past 20 years polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have polluted marine food webs at an increasing rate, and are prevalent in seabirds. Though their adverse effects may not always be apparent, PCBs lead to reproductive disorders, increase the risk of disease and alter hormone levels. These chemicals have a detrimental effect on marine organisms even at very low levels and plastic pellets could be a route for PCBs into marine food
May 2007 to April 2009 Update Over the past two years, AFC has faced more intense competition, particularly from aquaculturists in Chile. In addition, Chilean output has increased the supply of salmon and the Canadian dollar has strengthened in relation to the U.S. dollar. As a result, AFC has been unable to meet its budgeted revenue targets. Stocks of unsold harvestable fish have increased, as well as the corresponding cost of maintaining the fish, and the company barely made a profit in fiscal 2009. In January 2009, AFC lost one of its largest retail customers, S&F Seafood, to a new salmon aquaculture firm, Nu-Farm Inc. This new
Whale hunting has been a way of life for the Makah Tribe for more than 2000 years. They have traditionally depended on the whale meat to survive as well as they have utilized the whales blubber and oil. The dependence on whale hunting has caused the whale to be an integral part of the Makah culture. The whale is in their songs, dances, designs and basketry. It has given them a disciple and pride in their tribe. Yet for the past seventy years the Makah has been prevented from hunting due to the gray whale, the whale they hunt, being on the endangered list. In 1994 the gray whale was removed form the endangered list opening the possibility of the Makah Tribe to hunt again. Yet this possibility has caused anti-whaling organizations
Killer whales are one of the most fascinating displays of ocean life. The killer whale has characteristics that are important to its survival in the ocean. It is interesting to know that killer whales have a plentiful diet. It is astounding to see how killer whales behave in the ocean. I plan to tell you about the killer whale, its characteristics, its diet, and its behavior in the ocean as well as the predation of the orca.
Canadian Arctic Sovereignty is currently a pressing issue has raised many questions about who owns and who has control over the Arctic and its precious resources. The posing question is; to what extent should Canada protect its Arctic Sovereignty? There are many reasons why Canada must go forward in defending and protecting the Arctic to a moderate extent even though it will be a challenging mission considering that the Canadian military currently needs more resources in order to properly defend the Arctic. They must defend the population of Inuit that currently reside in the Arctic must be protected because their way of life is changing due to their changing landscape. The gain
That’s exactly what the seal hunt in Canada is; Inhumane. The seal hunt in Canada kills thousands of seals annually every year. Pups are killed at about two weeks of age or three months of age. Seals are supposedly killed for their fur, oil, and meat. Seal hunting should be stopped in Canada because of the harm towards the seals.
Salmon stocks in British Columbia are on the brink of collapse largely because the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has consistently allowed too many fish to be killed in commercial and recreational fisheries, according to a new research paper.The high exploitation of stocks – which draws parallels with the destruction of Atlantic cod by overfishing – may be more to blame for the decline of Pacific salmon than global warming or poor ocean conditions, says the study assessing salmon management practices, published today by the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic
The world’s largest food fishery is on the verge of collapse. Pollock, used to make McDonald’s fish sandwiches,
After hearing so much negative effects the seal hunt has on people, imagine how cruel the seals have it. Baby seals are being clubbed and shot for really no reason at all. A reason why sealers argue that the hunt is beneficial because seals provide a good source of omega-3, the reality is you can get omega-3 without killing an innocent life. Omega-3 can come from other natural sources like walnuts and flax seeds. Also, after a seal is skinned most of the seal goes to waste. The fur is sold globally and the oil is sold as a health supplement. 80 % of the Blubber is discarded, and the meat is left to rot on the ice. If people are going to kill 12-day-old defenseless seals, they should at least make sure that the whole seal is used. But
Commercial whaling is a serious world issue that has always been difficult for those who are in support and those who are against it. Each group defends their side with convincing arguments. Morally, whaling is wrong, but do the reasons for whaling outweigh the reasons to cease the primitive hunts? By studying the effects of whaling,realizing how culture has changed over time, and taking note of the money that would be saved, it can clearly be seen that there is no longer a current need for whaling to continue. Efforts have been made to try to stop whaling, but with no help from any authoritative figure,nothing has been done to regulate the whaling. The famous sea shepherd, known for its strikes against whaling, can even be seen on
Whaling has become a global environmental issue as vast numbers of whales are killed commercially and scientifically every year. Intense debate on the necessity of whaling has been stirred but failed to be resolved due to the lacking of pragmatic measures employed by the responsible parties. Whaling nations continue to defend their whaling right for cultural and research purposes. Yet, ethical and humanity issues are among the controversial disputes raised by concerned public. In February 2010, International Whaling Commission (IWC) proposed a plan of lifting whaling ban by limiting scientific whaling activities with the intention of reducing overall number of whales killed besides solving the current impasse between pro
This paper delves into the disputes brought against the European Union by Canada and Norway. In doing so, the specifics of the disputes will be discussed and the World Trade Organization’s policies and procedures that have thus far allowed for the European Union to ban commercial seal products from these two countries. The research done on the topic of sealing will cover the regulations in both the Canadian and Norwegian seal fishing and also how their communities are impacted economically. The European Union’s main argument is that neither of these countries regulations on humane killing are efficient enough in ensuring that humane killings can occur at all times. Because of this, they continue to defend that their regulations go