Canadian Fisheries unions request that seal hunt start early
By: Sheryl Fink
UPDATE: In a decision that is disastrous for the welfare of seal pups, the Government of Canada has caved to hunters and opened an adult seal hunt from March 28th to April 7th — right in the middle of whelping season, when seals are most vulnerable.
As if the poor harp seals didn’t have it bad enough. Ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were abysmal this year, meaning many pups likely drowned or were crushed to death in the ice. Now, sealers in Newfoundland want to open the annual slaughter two weeks early, removing one of the few protections remaining for this iconic Canadian species.
Harp seal pups are born on the ice floes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in late February, and on the front off Newfoundland in early March. This timing is variable, however, and may be affected by changing ice conditions, with pupping being delayed or extended in years of poor ice conditions.
Harp seal pups are highly dependent on their mothers for the first two weeks of life.
more
http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/fisheries-unions-request-seal-hunt-start-early?ms=UONDG170306075&cid=7012A000000rki2
= new reply since forum marked as read
What does it take?? 
