[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO END THE 
                          COMMERCIAL SEAL HUNT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal 
hunt.
  While the vast majority of countries have banned the commercial seal 
hunt long ago, Canada is by far the largest remaining seal killer in 
the world. Each year, about 300,000 harp seal pups are killed for their 
meat, oil and pelts and almost exclusively traded internationally.
  The United States and the European Union have banned both the hunting 
of seals and the importation of any seal products. Polling has shown 
that the majority of people in Canada oppose the commercial seal hunt 
and support foreign nations' ending their trade in seal products. A 
recent poll even reveals that half of Newfoundland sealers support a 
federal buyout of the commercial sealing industry.
  Indeed, the few thousand fishermen who participate in the commercial 
seal hunt in Canada earn, on average, only a tiny fraction of their 
annual income from killing seals, with the remainder coming from 
traditional seafood. In recent years, the Minister of Fisheries and 
Oceans of Canada has authorized historically high quotas for harp seals 
despite high pup mortality, low seal fur prices and reduced industry 
participation.
  Madam Speaker, the commercial seal hunt is not only unnecessary but 
cruel. Ninety-seven percent of the seals killed are pups between just 
twelve days and twelve weeks of age, without any ability to defend 
themselves. Most of them have not even learned how to swim. They are 
either shot or struck on the head by a hakapik or club. Many are 
injured in the course of the hunt and escape beneath the ice where they 
die slowly and are never recovered. Seal pups can also be skinned while 
still alive.
  Several reports concluded that avoidable suffering occurs during 
hunting, sealers fail to comply with regulations and authorities do not 
effectively monitor the hunt and enforce regulations. This slaughter 
has to come to an end.
  My resolution will urge the Government of Canada to prohibit the 
commercial hunting of seals, while allowing subsistence hunting for 
aboriginal communities. It will also encourage other countries to ban 
trade in seal products.
  Madam Speaker, wild animals are a very important part of our commonly 
held natural resources and contribute to the diversity and stability of 
our environment. We cannot let economic interests take over our moral 
values. Animal cruelty is an inexcusable abomination. The United States 
must continue to protect those animals that cannot protect themselves 
and ensure fair and humane treatment. It is essential to maintain a 
balanced and healthy ecosystem that allows for the coexistence of both 
human beings and the world's most incredible species.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in protecting wildlife and 
environmental conservation across the globe by supporting this 
important resolution.

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