Call for Boycott of Costco Stores in Canada
Image Courtesy of Our Place in Canada
The Newfoundland Experiment
As has been speculated for weeks, Costco has decided to pull seal oil capsules from its shelves across Canada. When approached for comment by media outlets yesterday and today Costco officials refused to comment, however the Barry Group of Companies, a producer of the product, has confirmed the retailer’s move.
As many people know seal oil capsules are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which have been proven as an effective supplement for the prevention and control of various health problems such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
According to reports Costco made their decision at the urging of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. An animal rights group, which has been linked with such extremists as Dr. Vlasik, who has publicly stated that he believed that the taking of a few human lives would be worth it to save the animals. The group is lead by an extremist leader, Paul Watson, who has himself been quoted in the past as saying that terrorist tactics were a valid approach to achieving his goals.
I personally find it difficult to believe that a company like Costco would align themselves with such a group and against many of their own customers who value this product.
By removing this supplement from their shelves Costco has decided to support a questionable individual in his effort to adversely impact the sales of a legitimate Canadian product. They have also decided to jeopardize the incomes of some of the the very same local people they expect to continue frequenting their stores.
The hunting of seals is a legitimate and highly regulated activity in Canada. It is sanctioned by the Canadian government and for Costco, as a company that has prospered from Canadian dollars, to take this action is nothing more than a slap in the face to many of their patrons.
I for one intend to boycott this company until such time as they publicly agree to return this valuable and potentially life saving product to their shelves.
I urge anyone who would like to express their concerns over this action directly to Costco can do so through their customer service department at: 1-800 463-3783, or by email at: http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/CustomerService/EmailUs.aspx
352 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 352 of 352First, our trade with Britian is not nearly as important as it is with many of our other trading partners.
Secondly, this tactic has been tried in England in the past without success.
Third, the UN is a long way from interfering in a Canadian seal hunt that is taking place inside Canadian jurisdiction and not endangering the survival of a species. If you think the UN actually plans on doing anything substantial on this then you have a much more inflated view of your side's power than I could even have suspected.
Oh, while we are on the subject of the ARA's inflated sense of power, I am willing to bet everything I own that this time next year and the year after that, a seal hunt will be taking place in Canada and the same tired old voices will be once again shouting about how "the end is near".
Williams had urged Newfoundlanders to reconsider shopping at Costco until the decision was reversed.
Riel said in the release that the company planned to meet with the province about the issue.
Released April first. The evident meeting to take place, is old news.
The outcome? We have no clue, nor do we really care, small markets do not create a world need for the product
in question. You will need a very large market to continue mass kills in this number. I do not think the outcome is quite as
foreseen as you believe. Who really knows?
Did you forget the UK? And never before has it been brought to parliament in this manner since the 50's and 60's.
UN does not have to interfere, they only have to group and sign a product ban by majority, then it is sent to the WTO.
I love this. When Costco decided to pull the capsules ARA's were so proud of the move and talking about how the hunt was on the way out. Now that it looks like even a slight possiblity that Costco may be putting the capsules back on their shelves it is a small issue that doesn't really matter.
I just love that kind of logic (or is it lack of same?).
Does everyone still believe the UK is not a member
to the parliamentary directions with all of Europe,
Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wells, alot of
overseas territories? It is not just Britain.
Even though they have seperate Governments? Do not
forget the powerful UK, which has a very large member
of parliamentary states.
It looks like it.
Just giving you some hope bud, for your Costco theory, is all anon was doing.
Take a pill.
The UK has a highly developed economy, the fourth-largest in the world
(as measured in terms of Gross domestic product). It is one of the most
populous member states of the European Union and a founding partner of
both the UN (with a permanent seat on the Security Council) and NATO.
The UK is also one of the major nuclear weapon states.
So much for your theory Patriot: Who cares about, little old England.
This was a response to:
First, our trade with Britian is not nearly as important as it is with
many of our other trading partners.
Secondly, this tactic has been tried in England in the past without success.
Third, the UN is a long way from interfering in a Canadian seal hunt
that is taking place inside Canadian jurisdiction and not endangering
the survival of a species. If you think the UN actually plans on doing
anything substantial on this then you have a much more inflated view of
your side's power than I could even have suspected.
In 1983 the EU banned the import of products from white coat seals,
with the encouragement of 73% of European Union Members and 81% of all
NATO members, outside of Canada.
Canadian jurisdiction and not endangering the survival of a species.
Says YOU patriot, the belief is people are more likely to take the advice of world reputable marine biologist, environmentalist etc.
Costco VP was obviously approcahed by a gang of thugs armed with hakpiks, or whatever you cavemen use in your daily life......probably used the hook to key his car on the way out. I feel bad for Costco. They are caught in the middle of your filth. This hunt takes no prisoners......
costco has not stated it would replace the product, some guy calling a radio statiot claimed that, how would he know the meeting hasn't even happened yet, but we already knew april 1, they were meeting. Costco told the press.
I just read that Costco did say it would replace the product. Now all you idiot Newfies can go buy your little seal oil pills and deplete the funds that you earned while clubbing the baby seals to death. You earn money clubbing the seals to death only to purchase the dumb ass product derived from your own slaughter. Idiots.
lol....boo hoo hoo! Now, to get back to the earlier question "What do you expect this boycott to do?"
Seems like the the cruel goofie newfies won. To get back to the second question "I wonder who shops at Costco more ARA's, or newfies?" It seems like in St. John's, NL its newfies :)
So what are we taking on next: White tail deer hunting in New York state by bow? Canned hunts in Texas? Fox hunting in the UK? Fois Gras industry?
It is all a matter of time before your pathetic little market dries up. One issue at a time. Smart people like to keep focus - and the focus right now is on your filthy culture. Why don't you go have another drink. B/T/W I am not associated with PETA - I am an average american who thinks that you Newfies are filthy. Good luck with tourism in the coming years. Pretty soon you will just need to drink 24-7, wondering where it all went wrong. Stop assuming it is all crazed animal right activists that are against this hunt. It is average american and I would ASSUME avarage canadian people. The masses may be asses, but the masses are the people who keep you in business. Once this year's hunt is over do not think for one second that your country is free from the aftershocks. I pity your country. It is run by a bunch of mornos who cannot see the big picture.
Ah- a wondereful comment from a inbred american. From a country that is a world leader in hypocrisy, gun violence, and perpetual short sightedness, I doubt that you truly have the cranial capacity to fully understand both sides of the seal hunt. You only hear one side of the argument, the one that is usually shown on your TV. Maybe it best if you get off your fat ass, stand up from your la-z-boy, and get educated on both sides of the story. As for pity, we don't need it... there is a reason global backpackers put a canadian flag on their packs when travelling- to ensure they are not confused with americans (and a lot of americans do that as well).
I won't delve further into this situation and continue my rebut- I don't want to get into a pissing match with a skunk.
I bet you show all your female admirers how big your hakpik is...I would be more interested in your investment portfolio - which is probably a big goose-egg. Again, I offer my pity. No wonder my grandmother fled your filthy country. Bless her heart!
Costco is only restocking the capsules in St. Johns.
Where it is purchased by those who market the product.
As for the rest of Canadian stores, they will not
restock the capsules there, but will continue to
review the viability of the product quartely.
Small market, creates no means to support the amount of omega being produced.
Now I ask, what is it you think you gained? The rights to purchase your
own product, you are only paying costco to market it and then to buy it.
In the same province it originates.
er you might want to check out the topic...its not the filty canadian culture its the seal hunt oops...did you post in the wrong forum?
What is the average american 4.5-5.0" I hope you DO have a big inves port to show the ladies when you are so light in the drawers!
taking that it sounds to me it only proves the only people who want it are those who create it. that doesn't create a market. DUH!
Excuse me, Mr Peta Kills, I am female, 5'7"...would never date a loser from newfie. Try your own breed. They will appreciate the hakpik a little more - Large or small, I suppose it wouldn't matter. I doubt your kind has any moral standards, so you should be all set with the ladies up there.
Seems like the the cruel goofie newfies won. To get back to the second question "I wonder who shops at Costco more ARA's, or newfies?" It seems like in St. John's, NL its newfies :)
The question is, the market in St. Johns, is it big enough and wealthy enough to buy 345,000 seals worth of oil? The answer is, I doubt. You must really want that seal oil to go out and kill for it, because if you spend your money on it, you are just working for seal oil and some. Costco in St. Johns, I am sure Newfoundlanders would be the answer, they do live there, sealers. In the rest of Canada and the world who shops there more? The rest of Canada and the world and we do not want the product on our shelves. Except for the few less moral countries, (China) whom I am sure you fit right in with. It is wise to get a market outside of the industry. Would you not think? I think, afterall that is what it takes for the product to survive.
Starting to get a little nasty folks...Why do you have to resort to insults when things don't go as you would like them. The wingnut from the US (likely a teenager ) who tries to insult all Canadians is only strengthening the resolve of many Nflders/Canadians against ARG's which is too bad because 1 or 2 of them are well intentioned. Some other nut tries to insult us by saying his investments are bigger than ours. Stay away from that guy folks.
Costco has indeed restocked the seal oil capsules. The hunt opened today in Nfld and the sale of flippers and meat is at record levels according to CBC. Seal skin coats are selling like hotcakes and the local furrier ( no names in case some wacko tries to threaten or worse ) is producing some new items . I saw some yesterday and they look beautiful.
I think this is the 28th year of protests and it seems this year's crowd are having the opposite effect.
Just 2-3 weeks to go and then hopefully the attention turns to banning milk which I guess makes sense to these folks also.
In time your hunt will end. Why did you stop the slaughter of the whitecoats? External pressure - that is why. External pressure will end this hunt once and for all. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but talk to me in the near future. I promise - You will all be forgiven for your past sins. Other income streams will develop for your area. You will evolve.
http://www.gan.ca/campaigns/fur+trade/factsheets/index.en.html
http://www.furcommission.com/news/newsC7.htm
http://nl-outsidethebox.blogspot.com/2005/09/cod-wash-i-cant-see-difference-can-you.html
by the way, to the poster who believes the UN will stop the hunt, in case you are unaware, it is a UN sanctioned hunt. Hopefully you know what the word sanctioned means.
Patriot, this is another of your lies. THe UN does not sanction such practices anywhere in the world, nor do they condemn. They're bodies only get involved when conservation or endangerment becomes an issue.
I challenge you, Patriot. Produce proof that the UN Sanctions this slaughter or stand up and admit that you knowingly and willingly lied to your readers.
I have not, nor will I EVER intentionally lie to my readers. Unlike many of the ARA groups do on a regular basis.
With regard to the U.N. The United Nations has outlined protocols for seal harvests (or culls if that is what you folks want to call it). DFO is aware of these protocols and is working to ensure that they are addressed.
The result of this is that the U.N has not come out against the seal hunt in Canada.
I understand that you may be referring to some official document from the U.N. that states clearly the seal harvest is sanctioned but I look at it this way:
First, U.N. rules are being respected. Second, The U.N. has not come out against Canada on this issue.
That may not mean official sanctioning in your world but it certainly shows a tacit sanctioning of the activity.
Let me put it this way. If my son says he wants to go to the movies and I say, "I don't have an issue with that", then in essence I am saying "go ahead" or sanctioning his activities.
Spin it how you want,but the result is the same. The U.N. is not trying to stop the hunt.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/05/AR2006040500935.html?nav=rss_business/localbusiness
The washington post is read by 94% of all large and small businesses and America is responsible for 80% of Canada's seafood exports.
The goal to get parliament in European countries, Britian included, to ban seal imports, is to keep Canada from going through any European country with their goods. They have to cross international borders to get to where they are going. If all of the EU completes this ban along with a lot of their other members (you are right it has been argued for years) these are final steps in a Government battle that has to be fought, because this and all other means used to hunt seal have to be exhausted. Canada is using the argument (in parliamentary depate) that the aboriginals will be adversily affected as they were when whitecoats and bluebacks were banned, in fact, it almost broke the economics of the hunt to zero. The first ban on whitecoats and bluebacks was initiated as non=aboriginals (metis), when seal pelts were proven to be delivered from non metis peoples they introduced the full ban on whitecoats and bluebacks. Saying, it didn't work in the first ban and it was not going to work that day or ever. Now, they (parliaments without full import bans)in Europe and UK which is actually one with two governing bodies. European nations are still trying to fight Canada's claim that gives them the right to use their natural resources to survive. The only argument is the metis and how to seperate the two classes. It did not work with the pelt it will not work now. However it is not only a question of humaneness, preservation or economics (this Canada uses) the house of commons and every other parliament have to take all aspects of the hunt into consideration. As early a time as four days ago they and other Governments have tried to persuade the Government of Canada to recognise the error in all their facts. Including the Metis argument. They have also seen and heard evidence that leads them to believe a large percentage of the animals observed by veternarians did not have wounds sufficient for a clean kill, the number of seals is a huge debate and taking into consideration the past examples of hunting to extinction from this area alone. If you walk through 10 years of Parliamentary debates on this you will find Canada uses the argument over and over (the metis) and their right to survive. An aborigonal leader met with EU to ask for intervention on global warming issues and the effects it is having on the ice and fish. There is so much to read. The bulk of this argument ended when the bans for seal pelts were implimented. A new strong argument has been going on for three to four years and is now in over a years worth of boycotts, they continue to grow in mass numbers daily.
In America even though abortion is legal, activist have fought so long and so hard. Even though it is legal you almost can not access the service, because of all of the regulations put on it, all abortion clinics must have brochures and ultrasound equipment and must comply with all emergency room procedures and equipment specifications, in a majority of the 50 states most have closed their doors, financially, abortion can not pay for this and Americans refuse to use tax money to pay for it by majority. Now it goes to the supreme court again that is why this last supreme court nominee was so important because this vote will be a deciding vote on an entire ban. If they win the pro abortionist go back to square one and it is fought again from roe vs wade.
I was using this example to show how courts and Governments work. It takes alot of time. It has taken longer on the abortion issue (70 or so years) than it ever will on the animals issues. This is the last step implimenting a full ban, the question is still, what about the metis? However this is not enough because the metis with cards do not account for 345,000 seal a year for survival.
Patriot who do you think the UN is? America, Britain, Australia, Italy, Greenland, Canada an original member and radified, to 197 countries and counting....Tell me a majority of these large economically wealthy countries do not want it stopped. The United Nations is simply Nations United as one Governing party. One world Government, one world court ICC, rome statute (America and Israel did not radify the rome statute of the ICC) but is still a leader in the UN, WTO...and so on. Their are many many organizations within this World Government. You know the new "Rome" this court has a Canadian judge, Phillipe Kirsch and is of European decent. The UN is a group of countries put together to impliment peace, (war, peace keepers)and is said to be the compliments of one late Pope John Paul II. The UN is exactly that, United Nations, with many governing world bodies as with any government in any country, but this Government consumes almost the entire world. Makes for good reading. It is always nice to know what is really going on in your world and if it matches that Bible alot claim is a lie in the world today. On any note....see ya.
Great article in the Washington Post by the way, thanks for making everyone aware of it.
I especially liked the fact that it presented both sides of the arguement and also such sections as the comment from Buddy's restaraunt that says:
"about 40 percent of the seafood comes from Canada, said owner Kevin Blonder. "The Prince Edward mussels are very popular," Blonder said. "They're nice, clean thick mussels. We'll switch to Maine mussels, and salmon will go from Canadian to Chilean, and snow crab will go from Canadian to Alaskan."
Thanks for all the kind words Mr. Blonder and I guess the biggest impact of you taking part in this will be to your own business when customers start recieving the less superior products you mentioned on their plates.
I also appreicate the reference to the Center for Consumer Freedom and the fact that they:
"contacted 87 companies listed as supporting the boycott and that 78 percent said they were not participating.
and the feeble arguemnt from HSUS when their spokesperson said:
"If the Center for Consumer Freedom really believed our boycott was ineffective, they wouldn't be spending so much time and effort trying to discredit it,"
Great ARA logic once again. They really hate it when their lies are exposed.
All in all a great article, keep them coming.
You are so lost, being in bed with the ccf doesn't look all that great for you.
americans and the world run from these faster than they would any of those ara's,
the guy is a creep and bergman co. stands accused in federal court for funneling
billions from the non profit organizations he represents. Wake up, no one believes the
guy, he lies to push products that most would consider disgusting, those with
any morals. No one in their right mind if knowing him would admit anything to
him, not if they wanted peace in business. He goes after people like those boy-
cotting products from hustler to seal. He is a creep, he is not for consumer rights
he is for the guy who markets the products and the guy who produces them, to make money
selling them It is like having Larry Flynt on your side. Or being in bed with China on
the immoral issues presented. Oh by the way, you want a refinery built in
your area that causes more damage to the environment, than tourism, which is why
your people claimed they wanted no tourism. And the fact that Danny Williams showed
a province surplus to the world (dumb) sure does shoot the heck out of your "kill seal for
poverty reasons" argument. How the heck do you buy the stuff that erupts from these
contradictions? No one else does. Get a clue!
To the previous Anon who said to get a clue. Good advice, why don't you use it.
Listen, this likely the last time I'm going to bother responding to this article since it is clear most of you don't have a clue on this subject and aren't worth my time. You are losing your anti-sealing arguements faster than you can dig them up.
Finally, the reason I suggested the anon poster use his/her own advice and "get a clue" is because in just the few words they wrote I can easily see at least a few cases of lies, two cases of a pure lack of knowledge and at least one case of over simplification that speaks to this persons poor sense of reality. Not to mention one clear cut case of totally misunderstanting Canadian politics and announcements.
Try again and even if I don't bother to show up you guys feel free to keep pounding that drum.
In reading above, I, myself must correct you. The last statement made in that article concluded
to this extent, if the ccf, was not so worried about it, why then do they spend so much time and effort
in refuting it? (Not to mention money) in the equation. They were also explaining to readers, the
"high moral" ccf was in fact campaigning in your defense. In your efforts to see all positive for your "cause"
you have failed to recognize the "over all" meaning, "negative". It is when we fail to see this, we fail to react
properly and therefore have no knowledge of the outcome. The over all feeling of "every thing is hunky dorey" usually
concludes with, we are only blind to the truth. You Patriot, are in fact, the one that has stated the
UN was not trying to stop the hunt. From reading above you have shown your true knowledge of the UN and who is
stopping the hunt, not trying. As was said, it does take a little time. In the end, when it ends, the question has to be,
will it in deed be left to poverty situations as in the 80's ban? Can you rely on your government to find some future for
these people? Instead of finding ways to try and fight something destined to end why not spend the enrgy and time on
developing a future? Will the small sales in St. Johns keep the industry viable with regulations on mammal sales for profit?
The world's fishing and hunting industry is in trouble all the way around the block. After the US hurricanes, the
fisheries were not doing well in the area, this was of great concern, now seemingly they are bouncing back with extreme vigor.
The natural cleansing of the waters destroying all weak populations of fisheries, have now resulted in a positive effect of hearty
healthy stock, people are noticing the effects. However another strong storm might have adverse effects entirely, no one at this point
knows, it is hard to speculate any future, in light of increase weather change and activity. The industry is teetering and is questionable
for a future, to almost no hope.
EUROPA:
* Seal hunting in Canada
The Council took note of concerns expressed by the Dutch delegation, echoed by the Belgian delegation, also
the echoing of all nations in opposition, in list. Regarding Canada's increase by in its hunting quota
for seals.
Concerns expressed include both the effect of hunting on the seal population and a failure to enforce humane killing methods.
The Economics of the Canadian Seafood Boycott
by Stephen Best
Most elected and unelected policy makers and industry stakeholders have a poor understanding of the economics of consumer boycotts. This lack of knowledge, combined with political misjudgment, means the inevitable policy changes necessary to end consumer boycotts are rarely made in a timely manner. The result is that well‑conceived, well‑implemented, and broadly‑supported consumer boycotts, like the Canadian Seafood Boycott, last far too long and inflict far more economic hardship than is necessary.
Mark Small, the president of Northeast Sealers Co-op in Wild Cove, Newfoundland, typifies this problem. Small is quoted in the St. John’s Telegram saying, “the declining supply of fish products, coupled with a healthy demand, will neutralize any effort by animal rights groups to boycott Canadian products.” Small is not only wrong about the economics of the Canadian Seafood Boycott, but also his views are indicative of the misguided values, the political short‑sightedness, and the failed management strategies that have destroyed most of Canada’s fisheries. It is this prevailing, destructive, and entrenched attitude towards marine mammals and marine ecosystem management that has forced environmental and animal welfare groups to implement the Canadian Seafood Boycott.
The Canadian Seafood Boycott relies on the fact that Canadian seafood exhibits what economists term “perfectly elastic demand.” By that is meant, there are readily available “perfect” substitutes for Canadian seafood: either seafood products from other countries or alternate food products. Seafood is not a food staple in the United States or the European Union, two of the Canadian fishing industry’s largest export markets, and the foci of the Canadian Seafood Boycott. The Canadian Seafood Boycott will reduce demand for Canadian seafood; that is a given. But more importantly, the promotion of the Canadian Seafood Boycott along with widespread grassroots activism will generate the perception among wholesale seafood buyers that consumer demand for Canadian seafood will inevitably decline. Perception is a major determiner of buying decisions. The fact and the perception of reduced consumer demand will positively reinforce each other, and accelerate the declines in both the wholesale and retail price of Canadian seafood. Economic theory also suggests that lower wholesale prices will lead to increased sales thereby maintaining the volume of Canadian seafood sold at or near present levels (assuming species stocks can be maintained, which is not happening for most species under present Canadian management regimes.) For Canadian fishermen and the fishing industry, the situation could not be worse. Prices decline while costs remain stable. Profits become losses.
It is likely that the Canadian Seafood Boycott will take about two years to achieve the maximum decline in consumer demand for “Product of Canada” seafood. At that time, boycotting Canadian seafood to save the seals will have become as firmly entrenched in the popular culture as did boycotting California grapes, dolphin unfriendly tuna, and Apartheid-era South African wine. At maximum economic effect, the Canadian Seafood Boycott will likely reduce the wholesale price for Canadian seafood by 25% to 50%, costing the Canadian fishing industry $820 million to $1.64 billion annually or 50 to 100 times the current value of the seal hunt. These losses cannot be sustained. Consequently, the Canadian government and/or the fishing industry will likely find it necessary to negotiate an end to the seal hunt in order to restore the economic viability of the fishing industry and to avoid the political consequences of significant job losses.
Unfortunately, ending the seal hunt after two or more years of the Canadian Seafood Boycott will not result in an immediate return to previous wholesale price or employment levels. All effective boycotts take some years to be forgotten by consumers. The detrimental effects of the Canadian Seafood Boycott can be expected to last for many years after the seal hunt is ended. The only way to prevent this is for policy makers to act in the best interests of all and to end the seal hunt as quickly as possible, well before American and European consumers make avoiding “Product of Canada” seafood a routine purchasing practice.
In a March 17, 2005 press release, Geoff Regan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans claimed that, “It is especially disturbing that some organizations are seeking to damage a legitimate Canadian activity and Canada's reputation abroad in public-relations campaigns in order to raise money for their organizations.” Just as Mark Small has a poor understanding of boycott economics, so too does Geoff Regan about the values, economics, and policy objectives of non‑profit organizations.
Although their motivations are the polar opposite of the fishing industry’s, the groups participating in the Canadian Seafood Boycott are also subject to economic influences. Like Canadian seafood, environmental and animal protection issues—economically—exhibit perfectly elastic demand. For all groups, there are perfect substitutes for the Canadian seal hunt issue. Consequently, non‑profit groups are not trying to protect harp and hooded seals from Mr. Regan’s deplorable marine mammal policies in order “to raise money.” Rather, they are working to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt because it is an economic activity based on the destructive values that are destroying any hope of humankind ever achieving an ecologically sustainable, just, and humane global economy. Membership acquisition and fund raising, an integral part of non‑profit management, is incidental, though necessary, to achieving this objective.
Unlike the Canadian fishing industry, economics work in favor of the groups participating in the Canadian Seafood Boycott. It is not in the participating groups’ ethical, environmental, humane, and policy interests for the Canadian Seafood Boycott to be prolonged longer than necessary. Their objective is not a boycott, but rather the end of the commercial seal hunt. However, if Canadian politicians and the fishing industry choose to endure the boycott and suffer its economic consequences, they will not only make the boycott’s participating groups stronger in terms of membership and donations, but also make it possible for them to sustain the Canadian Seafood Boycott indefinitely. Properly conceived and implemented consumer boycotts, like the Canadian Seafood Boycott, enjoy broad support because they give hundreds of millions of consumers who are concerned about an issue a demonstrably effective way to help solve a problem. The longer the Canadian Seafood Boycott lasts, the greater the number of consumers who will learn about it and support it. This will produce increased participation in the groups promoting the boycott and, inevitably, increased membership and donation levels which will be used to further promote the boycott.
In conclusion, economically and politically, the Canadian Seafood Boycott is a worst case scenario for the Canadian seafood industry, the federal government, and elected officials, and a best case scenario for the seals, the marine environment, and environmental and animal protection groups. The longer the Canadian Seafood Boycott lasts, the weaker financially Canada’s seafood industry will become, while the organizations promoting the boycott will become stronger in the human and financial resources necessary to promote the boycott. For elected officials who function in their own “vote” economy, as the job and economic losses rise, defending the commercial seal hunt will change from an electoral advantage to a liability.
Stephen Best is a founding director of Environment Voters, and developed the initial strategy for the Canadian Seafood Boycott; his discussion paper is available at the Canadian Seafood Boycott website: http://BoycottCanadianSeafood.net. Mr. Best helped develop and implement the economic and political strategies that led to the 1983 European seal import ban. He was responsible for the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s United Kingdom Canadian fish products boycott in 1984. And, in 1994, he developed and helped implement the International Wildlife Coalition’s Caribbean tourism boycott that proved necessary to secure the votes for the establishment of the International Whaling Commission’s Antarctic Sanctuary.
This paid editorial was made possible with support from Animal Alliance of Canada, Environment Voters, and the Animal Protection Institute.
First Costco agrees to remove the seal oil capsules. When the decision is publicized, Costco then claims it was a routine business decision and that there was never any communication with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Sea Shepherd then released the agreement that was signed from Costco. Consequently, Costco is threatened with a boycott of one store in Newfoundland by people who claim to want seal oil capsules (led by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams). Costco then reneges on their commitment to remove the seal oil capsules and agrees to put the vile product back on the shelf. Now Costco is claiming that they made the decision to put the product back on the shelf because Sea Shepherd released the agreement which they said we had agreed to keep quiet despite the fact that Costco was informed in advance that the decision would be made public by Sea Shepherd.
What a freaken mess, did anyone know Paul Watson was an executive member and sat on the board? I found that yesterday. Costco and a mess. FRREEEEEG!
Poor Costco i am glad i am not in the middle. bye!
They can not legally remove an item that has a market. It is legal in Canada and the St. Johns stores had enough sales. Costco did not remove it from St. Johns because sales were down. We know why they removed it, then, Danny Williams had it legally replaced. You can not in Canada remove a legal item where there is a market for it. As bad as I do not like Danny. I have to say good Lawyer trick. Is he a Lawyer? He did not have the sales to his advantage to have it replaced any where else though, several other stores did in fact have it listed. :( oh well, that is life.
That means it will become our tradition not to buy Canada.
I just tried to find seal oil capsules on the Costco Canada website. None to be found. The search comes up empty - not even an offer for a raincheck. They can't be too popular....only an idiot would think they were good for something. Maybe they make the sealers joints better able to raise up and slam down their hakpiks.
I think there are only 3 or 4 nasty teenagers left on this site and one HSUS monitor who keeps inserting long blurbs.
Time to move on and please spare me your juvenile comments against the hunt.
I think you're right. Time to move on. Perhaps someone can explain Omega 3 to the previous kid . He probably thinks it's a planet on Star Trek.
HSUS is telling so many lies these days they can't even keep them straight anymore.
There are three articles on the HSUS site dated March 26 and supposedly referring to the previous day’s activities of sealing protestors.
Two are by Rebecca Aldsworth and one was issued as an official HSUS release.
In the first Aldsworth talks about how they were chased by two sealing vessels. After a long description of the activity, she says:
“…the second sealing vessel was now bearing down on us at a high speed. If it hit us, we would be finished. Thankfully, it swerved. I couldn’t understand why until I looked back and saw our larger, and more imposing, vessel appear miraculously out of the fog. These cowardly sealers were happy to take us on in our tiny boats, but they were not so anxious to do battle with a 120-foot vessel.
Yet in the second article she contradicts herself by saying that the sealers simply tired of scaring them and thankfully moved on. I guess that doesn't lend the kind of hero status to her crew as the other article.
Back to her first article in which she says, “We caught up with another boat, and the sealers yelled at us, throwing seal carcasses in our direction… Minutes later, a Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker moved into position…For the next half hour, they meticulously examined the permits, checking our identification against the paperwork. Then, grudgingly, they allowed us to proceed. For the rest of the day, we filmed the slaughter… “
Interesting how they filmed the slaughter for the rest of the day when in the other article she says:
“Late yesterday afternoon, I and six other legally permitted observers—including five staff members from The Humane Society of the United States and one media representative—were arrested…HOURS earlier, two sealing vessels had repeatedly charged at our small inflatable boats “
Odd. Did she finish the day filming carnage or did she get arrested Hours after the incident. Only adding to the confusion is the official version:
“The observers…were following a sealing vessel…The vessel quickly changed direction, cutting off the inflatables …at that moment, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials…emerged (from onboard)...The sealing vessel that HSUS observers are being investigated for being too close to had, with another sealing boat, repeatedly charged towards the HSUS inflatables just an hour before.”
Well, I guess since she finished filming that day, was arrested hours after the incident and arrested one hour after the incident, she must have figured out how to time travel. Boy, there must be some really good weed onboard that boat of theirs. I think I'll become a vegan too.
Over 70,000 Seals Killed in Just Two Days— DFO Temporarily Closes Hunt
April 7, 2006
WASHINGTON – In the wake of the poorest ice conditions since the 1960s and the resulting high natural mortality of harp seals, The Humane Society of the United States and its global branch, Humane Society International, condemned the Canadian government today for allowing Newfoundland sealers to kill another 70,000 seals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in less than two days. The fast kill rate has caused the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to temporarily close the hunt to evaluate the quota. The latest kill brings the total death count to more than 90,000 seal pups.
“The sealing industry is clearly not concerned about conservation,” said Rebecca Aldworth, director of Canadian wildlife issues for The HSUS. “Scientists have warned for months that the low ice cover this year would have a devastating impact on pup production, with many pups drowning as the ice melted before they were weaned or able to swim proficiently. Now sealers are killing the survivors in historic high numbers.”
Just two weeks ago, The HSUS documented the first part of the slaughter in the Gulf as hunters from the Magdalen Islands took their quota of more than 18,000 seals. For the next phase of the hunt, however, observers from The HSUS were prevented from documenting the killing following an incident in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The HSUS had been traveling in rigid inflatables in the Gulf, documenting the commercial seal hunt. DFO officials accused HSUS observers who were filming a sealer killing a seal of drifting slightly within a 10-meter buffer zone they must keep from active sealers as a condition of their observation permits. While no charges have been filed, the DFO has refused to issue further permits while the matter is under investigation. Moreover, HSUS video of the incident shows that the boat was not within the 10-meter buffer zone.
“The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is subverting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and even his own Marine Mammal Regulations by refusing to issue permits to the HSUS observers,” said Aldworth. “The Charter guarantees us freedom of the press and the Marine Mammal Regulations specifically say the only reasons he can deny permits is if observers have been convicted of an offense related to their observation in the past five years. Not only were our observers not convicted, they have not even been charged. This is a shameful and transparent attempt by the DFO to block legal and peaceful observation of the commercial seal hunt, and the actions of our Fisheries Minister are a national disgrace.”
The seal hunt will resume on April 12, at which point another 230,000 seals are expected to be slaughtered. Last year, 145,000 seals were killed over just two days in the Front.
This crowd has no shame. Some HSUS monitor has now posted some article that tries to link the closure to a review of the quota and links this to doubt regarding the quota level. Quotas are sometimes closed temporarily to check the tally to make sure there is no overrun. Today's news is that the western Nfld hunt of 64,000 seals was caught in 36 hours. The seals are everywhere.
"Today's news is that the western Nfld hunt of 64,000 seals was caught in 36 hours. The seals are everywhere."
Now there is a statement with no shame.
I was glad to read about the woman who came to her senses regarding the hunger strike. There is work to be done...
Seal Wars!
The Second Report from
the Frontlines of the Seal Slaughter
The Frontlines of the campaign to abolish the slaughter of seals in Canada is now global. We are now fighting this obscene slaughter on the ice, in the courts, in the media, in Ottawa, and on the streets of dozens of countries around the world. Seal Warriors are musicians, actors, activists, hunger strikers, cartoonists, writers, consumers, chefs, retailers, travel agents, documentarians, pilots, poets, school children, college students, environmentalists, animal rights activists, conservationists, and the person next door. It is a rapidly growing movement against cruelty and ecological degradation.
The Good, the Bad. the Ugly and the Beautiful
THE GOOD
Sealers Stuck in the Ice
The Canadian Coast Guard is keeping an eye on nine sealing vessels that are stuck in ice in the Strait of Belle Isle. Hopefully they will remain stuck. However one of the hidden subsidies of the seal slaughter is the high costs of Canadian Coast Gaurad icebreakers that clear paths for the sealing boats to go about their gory business. Canadian tax dollars at work – slaughtering baby seals.
The icebreaker Henry Larsen is monitoring six longliners and three open boats.
A coast guard spokesperson said Friday morning that the sealers are not in any immediate danger. (We can only hope) The seals however are in immediate danger.
The vessels are near L'anse au Loup in southern Labrador.
Seals Farther North than Usual
The same reason for the lack of ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has also kept the ice floes off the coast of Labrador from drifting south. Normally these floes drift down to the south of Newfoundland. This year thanks to global warming, the ice front is hundreds of miles to the North off the coast of Labrador although there is some ice choking the Straits of Belle Isle. This means the sealers will have to travel much further and use much more fuel to reach the seals.
British MP calls for seal hunt ban
MANSFIELD MP Alan Meale has blasted the Canadian Government for the nation's practice of seal hunting.
The MP has now joined the international animal rights campaigners in opposing the seal hunt and called for the British Government to ban the trade in harp and hooded seal products.
"The seal hunt brings nothing but shame on Canada," he said. "I have been written to by many of my constituents who are wholeheartedly against the seal hunt.
"I have seen no evidence that can justify this high level of cruelty –– the hunt must be stopped and the UK must have no part in the trade in seal products."
Mr Meale told Chad that Canada's seal hunt quota, which was announced last week, sees the figures equal those seen in the 50s and 60s, with hundreds of thousands of seal pups slaughtered and several thousand thought to be skinned alive.
Added the Labour MP: "This is totally unacceptable –– the British public were opposed to it then, and I am confident that they will actively oppose this slaughter now."
Nations Are Banning Seal Products
13 February 2006 Italy Enacts Temporary Ban on Seal Products
Demonstrating the growing momentum in Europe to shut down the markets for seal products, Italy has temporarily suspended the import of seal skins and seal derived products. According to the Italian Vice-Minister for Trade and Industrial Affairs, no new import licenses will be granted in the coming months. This is a critical step towards putting an end to the cruel and unjustifiable massacre of seals in Canada's commercial seal hunt.
Update on national seal bans:
January 2006: Mexico bans the import and export of all marine mammals (i.e. including seals) and their derived products (similar to the US Marine Mammal Protection Act from 1972).
Greenland instructs its public state company not to trade in seal pelts originating from the Canadian seal hunt.
December 2005: The Dutch Parliament initiated a legislative proposal to ban the import/export and marketing of harp and hooded seals and their derived products. The proposal is expected to be debated in the Parliament in the coming months.
May 2004: The Belgian Government adopts a legislative proposal to ban the import/export and marketing of all seal products. After notification with the European Commission and WTO, the proposal is due to be presented to the Belgian Parliament.
The European Union introduced in 1983 a ban on seal products derived from whitecoats (newborn harp seals, less than 12 days old) and bluebacks (young hooded seals, less than one year old). Unfortunately, this ban is not effective in order to stop the current trade of harp and hooded seal pelts in Europe. Today, seals are hunted when they are just a few days older and their pelts can therefore be legally traded in the EU.
The United States introduced in 1972 the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which prohibits the import/export and marketing of marine mammal products (i.e. including seal derived products). The law also applies to live marine mammals.
The Council of Europe adopted in 2004 a Motion for a Resolution (initiated by the Italian MP Azzolini) to stop the commercial hunt of seals and called on its Member States to introduce national bans on seal derived products. The Assembly also debated a report produced by the Italian MP Nessa, which criticised the cruelty of the hunt. The report will be voted on in April 2006.
On March 29th, Croatia banned seal pelts.
Seal defenders internationally are working to have seal products banned in every nation of the world.
“We will not rest,” said Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. “until we have abolished the market for every vile and despicable product made from seals in every nation on this planet.”
THE BAD
“I Can’t Break the Law, I am the law.”
- Judge Dredd Loyola Hearn
Front Slaughter to Begin April 12th
Now that the massacre in the Gulf is over, the killers are heading to the coast of Labrador to ply their vicious, obscene, and bloody trade.
Captain Paul Watson condemned this slaughter again this year saying;
“As a 12th generation Canadian whose roots go back to 1650 in New France and Acadia and as an 8th generation Maritimer I must say that I am so terribly ashamed to be Canadian and to hail from the Maritimes. The blood on that ice each year washes away any pride that I had for my country. Red blood on white snow, the colours of the flag are appropriate. We are so pathetic as a country, so trivial and so cowardly, a nation of baby killers, hewers of wood and haulers of water, a nation obsessed with our inferiority and impotence on the international stage. Perhaps if we joined the 20th Century we could leave the barbarism behind and shine with compassion and kindness, ecological integrity and honour. It seems unlikely soon with a Prime Minister who chooses death over life and ignorance and arrogance over living in harmony with nature. Oh Canada, the true north savage and greedy, land of hopelessness for all who care, land of opportunity for the greedy. I live in exile until the slaughter ends”
Sealers Violate Quota with Impunity
The seal killers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have officially gone 1,000 seals over quota. But it appears that these quotas are not really legal – more like guidelines, because the Canadian government never penalized sealers for going over quota. According to enthusiastic seal hating DFO spokesperson Roger Simon in the Maganderthal Islands, “these things happen. What can you do?” Try enforcing the law bozo.
Canadian Fined for Documenting the Killing
Meanwhile as the killing continued, Montrealer Lisa Shalom was sentenced to pay $1,000 for her “crime” in approaching within half a nautical mile of a sealer engaged in the act of killing a seal. Lisa was filming for a documentary project she is doing on seals when she was arrested. Prior to being arrested she was physically assaulted by sealers from the Newfoundland boat Brady Mariner. She documented the assaults on the Sea Shepherd crew who were also arrested.
The Mounties refused to lay charges of assault against the sealers
Lisa Shalom at last year’s Seal Slaughter on board the Farley Mowat
Dr. Jerry Vlasak in 12th day of Hunger strike
Dr. Jerry Vlasak who was arrested along with Lisa Shalom was also sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine but chose instead to not pay the fine and go to jail. The California based trauma surgeon was sentenced to 22 days. He opted to hunger strike for the seals in prison and has gone 12 days without food. He will most likely be released after serving 15 days of his sentence.
Report from A Canadian Citizen Who Did Week long hunger Strike for the Seals
:By Svetlana Fotinov
I’d like to explain why I decided to go on a hunger strike.
The very first day the seal hunt began on Saturday, March 25, 2006, Vadim, my husband and I went to the Parliament Hill. The day was very nice and there were quite a few people there. I was holding in my hands a magazine published by Fondation Brigitte Bardot with photos of last year’s seal hunt. I heard people saying: “This is a Seal Hunt Protest!”. When we came to the Centennial Flame people who were there started asking questions and we answered them. Some wanted to take pictures of me and Vadim. Everyone we spoke to on that day said that they were against the seal hunt: they thought that better alternatives existed today for people involved in seal hunt. After all, the Canada of today and the Canada of 300 years ago are two very different realities.
I realized that something had to be done to stop the seal “hunt” now, and I wanted to let the politicians here in Ottawa know how people in Ottawa felt about the seal “hunt”. The objective of my hunger strike was to draw the attention of the politicians and the media to the issue of the seal hunt, the issue that was obviously becoming a hot topic of discussion on the international arena. I thought that the Parliament Hill and the Centennial Flame with the emblems of all Canadian provinces and territories was just the right place to draw attention to this issue.
For your information: I was born in 1953 in the former Soviet Union. My height is 176 cm. On the first day of my hunger strike my weight was 55 kg 400 g, dressed as you see me on the photos. On March 31, 2006, the last day of my hunger strike, my weight was 51 kg 800 g (again, dressed in the same outfit). Throughout my hunger strike, when I was on the Parliament Hill, I was holding the open magazine in one hand and an Inuit sculpture in the other hand (Ptarmigan – Transformation by the famous Inuit sculptor David Ruben Piqtoukun www.davidruben.com On April 16th an exhibition of his recent works will open at Galerie d’Art Vincent at Chateau Laurie here in Ottawa www.galleryvincent.com My favourite piece there is The Pearl of Wisdom). To me, Inuit sculpture is one of the great examples of alternatives available today. The alternatives can be different in different parts of Canada. The point is, - there are alternatives!
On Friday, March 31st, 2006, I began to feel the impact of my hunger strike on my body: my hands were shaking and I could hardly hold the small alabaster sculpture in my hand. I was experiencing palpitations, I had stomach pains, I felt dizzy and I was moving slowly. Now I will have to explain that during my hunger strike I was doing everything I normally do, although I had to do a lot of things at night, since my energy level was low. Thus, I did not eat anything and I hardly had time to sleep. But let me assure you that for my family it was “business as usual”: I cooked for everyone and everyone was taken care of (you can see some members of my immediate family at my site at www.wellnessuniverse.ca ). Besides, I was attending to all business matters and I was doing everything else I was supposed to do. I am a business person!
I was on the Parliament Hill every day for 6 days at different times, - in the daytime, in the evening, at night. I wrote letters and appeals to the Prime Minister of Canada, to MP Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, to Member States and Observer Countries of the Arctic Council currently chaired by Russia (I am a Russian Canadian), to Canadian media (the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star) and to many other people and organizations.
To me, it became clear that you cannot achieve much in Canada by a hunger strike alone! I would not be surprised that, if I were to fall dead right in front of the Peace Tower, the MPs, including the PM, would have simply stepped over my dead body and would have proceeded with parliamentary debates about the future of Canada!
So, I decided it was time to draw the line: I stopped my hunger strike, officially informed everyone about my decision and explained the reasons behind this decision.
I firmly believe that there is a lot of work to do, - for everyone. If we want to live in a kinder, better and safer world, we must learn to treat Nature and all living creatures with respect. We must first learn to give to Nature, and only then take from Nature, - just a little bit, leaving the rest for the future generations of humans, - and all other species on this Planet.
I am a teacher by profession. This is why I believe in the power of education and awareness. I will do everything I can to explain to everyone I meet during my life that we, humans, are part of the Global Mosaic of Different Species, that we are part of living and non-living Nature.
“Let us never forget our roots – not just the long-ago ancestors we call prehistoric humans, but the wilderness from whence we arose. If we ever cut ourselves apart from wilderness, we will no longer be human.” Don Hamilton, DVM. Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California. 1999.
HSUS GROUNDED IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Canadian and Newfoundland native Rebecca Aldworth and her crew from the Humane Society of the United States have been grounded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
After having seal guts thrown at them by sealers and after their inflatable boat was rammed by a sealing vessel, Rebecca, five other crew, and a reporter from Reuters were charged with approaching within 10 meters of the sealers who attacked them. The HSUS boat was damaged.
They all had permits to document the slaughter, however, the permits restrict the approach to the sealers to a distance of 10 meters. Alternatively, the sealers are not restricted from approaching the people with the permits. When a sealer approaches a person with a permit, the permit holder is required to withdraw and maintain a 10 meter distance. Therefore, when the sealers came toward and attacked the HSUS crew, the victims in the attack automatically were in violation of the regulations.
Of course, no sealers were charged with assault or damage to property. The law is one sided in favor of seal killers in Canada.
So Much for Swedish Sophistication
The Swedes give the impression that they are a civilized people despite the fact that they are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of weapons like land mines, small arms and fighter planes. Now add seal killing to their resume
The annual culling of gray seals along Sweden’s Baltic coast is set to begin on Easter Sunday. This must be how the Swedes pay homage to Christ by slaughtering some seals.
The number to be shot, 170, is the same as last year.
According to the Swedish Environment Protection Agency the population of gray seals in the Baltic has increased to around 22,000. (Oh my Gawd, it’s a hostile takeover of the Baltic)
The hunt will continue through the end of the year.
According to the agency, seals cause around 7 million dollars of damage annually to Swedish fishing, including nets and other equipment.
The question of course is that if it is true that 22,000 seals are in the Baltic and attacking fishing gear than how can removing 170 of them make a difference? I suppose the Swedes think that killing 170 will be a lesson to the rest, sort of deterrent. You think the seals would have learnt a lesson from the 170 murders of their brethren the year before. What this is of course is a lame make work plan by Swedish bureaucrats.
Vocabulary
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is encouraging people to not use the language of the seal killers and to refrain from repeating their words.
This is not a seal hunt. It is a slaughter. Walking up to a helpless seal on the ice that can’t swim or defend itself is not hunting. It is a slaughter of baby animals in a nursury.
It is not a seal harvest. You harvest oranges – not seals.
It is not sustainable. Sustainable is the new catch phrase for business as usual.
There are no seal stocks. There are populations of seals. Stocks make it sound like the seals are on a warehouse shelf somewhere.
The slaughter of seals is not humane. Canadian politicians and some media don’t seem to understand what the word means. The kicking of a seal pup in the face and ribs, the skinning os a baby seal alive, the smashing out of eyeballs and leaving the pup to writhe in its own blood is not humane. It is abject cruelty.
The Ugly
It’s all very ugly especially some of the Canadian media. Apparently political correctness goes out the window when it comes to attacking seal defenders. Thus Brigitte Bardot was dismissed by numerous Canadian media as an “aging actress.” Pamela Anderson was dismissed as a “dumb blonde.” Anti-French and anti-American comments circulated. Seal hunt defenders were called dumb, terrorists, liars, racist (I guess sealers are a race amongst themselves – they should be) and they were slandered from the left, the right and the centre.
Meanwhile there was a call in Newfoundland for Captain Paul Watson to be charged under Canadian hate crime legislation for stating that the title of Anne Troake’s documentary on sealing, My Ancestors were Rogues and Murderers was appropriate.
One thing for sure this seal slaughter controversy has gotten Canadian politicians, media and all sorts of people hot and bothered but most importantly it has got them thinking.
This issue is now a full blown international media event and it will not be going away. The seal defenders have celebrities, drama, compassion, international support and dedication driving their cause and the seal killers have what? A few lackluster politicians and Jann “Cruella” Arden, whoever she is?
Seal Oil Tycoon Cozy with Premier of Newfoundland
In the scandal department we have this little fact. The Barry group that processes about 900 tons of seal oil each year is owned by Bill Barry. Bill Barry is a multi-millionaire who is a close personal friend of Premier and multi-millionaire Danny Williams. One source in Newfoundland said the two are “passionate” about each other which we presume means they must be very close buddies indeed. So perhaps Danny’s passionate defense of seal killing is not in the interest of the sealers of Newfoundland at all but is more in the interests of his good and close friend Bill Barry. Inquiring minds would like to know.
Seal Oil is Just Another Snake Oil Remedy
It is interesting that when Costco pulled the seal oil capsules from their shelves in Newfoundland, Danny Williams immediately threatened a boycott of Costcos. This was his friend’s product after all.
What is truly amazing is that the public can be sold on this snake oil “health” supplement. It is a product that contains two to three parts per million of toxic heavy metals.
In the test conducted by Sea Shepherd in 2004 two types of PCB's as well as arsenic were present:
PCB content: 3 types registered between 0.27 ppm and 1.18 ppm. Arsenic: 1.2 ppm
Trace amounts of boron (7.3 ppm), calcium (9.9 ppm) and sodium (10 ppm) were also present.
Even the "good" Dr. Cosmas Ho (owner of Terra-Nova seal oil refinery) lists the toxins of his brand on his website: He lists DDT and mercury. His site can be checked out at:
http://www.omega3sealoil.com/Chapter4.html
Omega 3 is another snake oil product. There is no real data that demonstrates it is a health benefit. It is akin to Vitamin E. People may believe that it is a benefit but then people believe in shark cartilage and turtle and powdered seal penis are good for what ails them also. Vegans who do not consume fish and seal oil do not suffer from any deficiencies for not consuming Omega 3. Also if so inclined, Omega 3 is available from organic flax oil without the toxins and it is cheaper.
Bill Barry should be tarred and featured as a snake oil salesman.
More Tax dollars for Propaganda
And just when we thought the government could not waste anymore money supporting the barbarism of sealing we get this report from the Newfoundland House of Assembly:
March 30, 2006 [NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR] HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS (Newfoundland)Vol. XLV No. 5
MR. SULLIVAN: Mr. Speaker, we are also looking to the future of our fisheries. We will invest $350,000 over two years to increase the province's capacity for coastal and oceans management and to prepare an oceans strategy and policy framework.
SOME (Dis)HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. SULLIVAN: We will also invest $100,000 for a sealing industry communications strategy to counter the fiction and fabrication with facts -
SOME (Dis)HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
So another $100,000 for propaganda! You see the facts that need to be countered are convincing the public that three week old seal pups are not baby seals. They also want to convince the public that kicking seals in the face, skinning them alive and leaving them to choke to death on their own blood is humane. And the funds will also be used to present the seal slaughter as some sort of aboriginal native cultural necessity despite the fact that all the sealers are ignorant white rednecks.
Has anyone noticed that the Canadian politicians are whining about money freely given to seal protection and conservation organizations yet seem to have no problem in allocating public funding to seal killers. The difference of course is that donations to protect seals are voluntary whereas the tax payer has little say in how the government wastes their money.
Exporting Jobs as Premier Cries Crocodile Tears for Workers
As Multi-millionaire Danny Williams laments for the poor sealers so he can do favors for his real friends like Bill Barry, his government is allowing the export of hundreds of jobs to China. Fish packing plants are laying off workers. 650 jobs lost in Marystown, Newfoundland alone. Redfish are being shipped whole to China to be processed there removing the need for fish plant workers in Newfoundland.
Seal Basher in Chief Loyola Hearn – Now we’re talking ugly.
Loyola Hearn, another goofy Newfie in the position of Fisheries Minister is setting his sights on being the ugliest, meanest, hardcore, unyielding, seal hating politician of them all.
Of course he has to compete with his predecessors like Newfoundlanders Brian Tobin, John Efford, and John Crosbie, all of whom were champions of mass slaughter. Crosbie of course came from the Crosbie Sealing Company family. But Loyola is doing a fine job of being a bigger seal hating jerk than those who came before him.
He is a firm believer that the soul of Newfoundland rests on the tradition of mass massacring of seal pups. Newfoundland males have traditionally demonstrated their manliness by whacking baby seals. Apparently, according to Loyola, it’s in their blood because as Newfoundland film maker Annie Troake titled her documentary supporting sealing as My Ancestors were Rogues and Murderers. Ah yes they were Annie – great title, hit the nail right on the head with that one b’ye.
The Beautiful
Two words. Pamela Anderson.
Pamela hosted the Juno Awards in Halifax. These awards are Canada’s answer to the Grammy Awards in the United States.
Pamela Anderson is without question the most famous Canadian in the world. She receives more Google hits than any other Canadian alive or dead.
Pamela used her position as host of the Juno’s to bring attention to the slaughter of the seals. Even in the midst of a hostile crowd she stood her ground firmly and said she was committed to the end of the slaughter.
Which brings us back to the Ugly. Canadian singer Jann Arden used her time at the podium to say her bra was made from baby seal eyelids. Oh perfectly droll Jann. Quite amusing, haha.
Pro-killer Jann “Cruella” Arden and seal defender Pamela Anderson. I think Jan could learn a thing or two about vegan beauty tips from Pam.
Jane “Cruella” Arden who supports the slaughter of Seals
Pamela Anderson – Defender of the Seals
A Generous Offer they Should Not Have Refused
On the subject of beauty, Cathy Kangas, the CEO of PRAI Beauty and a member of Sea Shepherd, HSUS, IFAW and many other animal organizations offered the Canadian Government $16 million dollars to compensate the sealers to not kill seals. The ugly side of this story is that Prime Minster Stephen Harper turned her down without even talking with her or having the decency to reply to her in person. He informed the media instead. Obviously the killing is not about money.
One Newfoundland politician said it was welfare. Let me see, using tax-payers money to subsidize a mass slaughter of seals for luxury items in demand by a few is not welfare yet a private person willing to purchase the lives of beautiful creatures for the benefit of millions is considered welfare.
Cathy Kangas is beautiful. Stephen Harper and Danny Williams are definitely ugly. And this slaughter is the ugliest thing of all.
Quote of the Week:
One beater among the pile lifted its head and started to scratch his way around, his eyeballs two swirling pools of blood. His lower jaw was hanging down from his mouth by a thread of skin. “Darrell, kill that, will you?!” Gerard said.
Grabbing the hakipik, he did not kill it immediately. Instead he pressed the wooden handle up against the top teeth of the suffering creature. “Bite that if you can.” The poor thing had no bottom teeth and all it could do was crawl around in the swath.
- Newfoundland Sealer Mickey Dwyer from his book, Over the Side Mickey
The stupid teenager from the US, who is actually an educated professional woman from the US, who is NOT an "ARA", as you people like to call all the people who are againt this slaughter......is simply disgusted. A Canadian dentist, working in the US - from Toronto - informed me yesterday that without the seal slaughter, all the seal "hunters" would do is drink themselves to death.....that says alot. Maybe some of the goverment subsidies should go towards alcohol rehabilitation because I suppose the only way a sane person could club a helpless baby seal to death is if he came home each night and drank himself to sleep. What a miserable existance. I actually feel sorry for seal hunters. Apparently you have nothing else up there to offer them but bludgeoning seals and boozing.....what a life....
dr. ho's poison is what they should call it....canada is the only country besides china that ok's it. I guesss it will be like the drug that caused birth defects there.....in the end.
Specification of Seal Oil
Technical Data Sheet
1. Ingredients 100% Natural Seal Oil with 0.3% D-Alpha
Tocopheryl Acetate added as anti-oxidant
2. Physical Appearance:
A clear, yellowish, oily liquid with pleasant fishy
flavour and aroma, The Gardener Colour standard
is 2 – 4.
3. Microbiological Specification:
Total Aerobic Count <10 cfu/g
Yeast & Mold <100/g
E. Coli Negative
Salmonella spp. Negative
4. Packaging Specifications:
200 kgs packaged in food grade plast drum.
Normal refrigeration is required.
5. Shelf Life: 3 to 5 years in refrigerated conditions
6. Kosher Status: Non-kosher
7. Manufacture: Product is prepared involving process of cold
pressing, centrifuging and mechanical filtering,
No chemical solvent is involved. The entire
Manufacturing process is under strict sanitary
Conditions, in accordance with Canadian Food &
Drug Regulations and Good Manufacturing
Practice (GMP) standards.
8. PCB & Heavy Metals
PCB’s 0.220 ppm
Total DDT <1.0 ppm
(DDT + DDE + DDD)
Heavy Metals <2.0 ppm
Mercury <0.02 ppm
9. Major Fatty Acid Profile:
DrHo's poison mercury and arsenic from his own web site.....I guess we will be getting this out.
Dr. Ho needs to learn how to spell..and tell the truth about the worlds best omega
PCB's are above average by a good bit, they are environmental poisons.
Totally agree .
Also check out the comment from the HSUS monitor who posted at 3;31. That must be a record for the longest diatribe. My only comment refers to the "hunger strike ". Guys don't be gullible here. The Dr. Jerry Vlasik is the same guy who said on CBC that a few sealhunters may have to die to save "millions" of seals. Is this guy your hero ??? Jesus, his sentence is only 2 weeks and if he is really in any physical danger they'll just release him. What a play .
Yeah, that 4:55 post is scary too. Some dentist told him that they all drink , blah , blah . His next thought will be his first. Please send money to HSUS .
I guess it will soon be time for some 6000 word testimonial from the HSUS monitor to arouse the wingnuts. I challenge someone to make a statement about the finances of the IFAW or HSUS and wait 30 minutes for a strong statement from headquarters. Go on, just try it.
I hear on CBC that Deb Ozarka in BC is sending hate mail to all the B&B's and tourist homes in small town Nfld. She is a client of HSUS . Boy this is getting ugly.
I think it's Ozarko. These people are scary.
I have personally spoken several times with Dr. Alice Crook, co-author of the 2002 report on the seal slaughter (Canadian Veterinary Association - CVA -Special Report vol. 43, 2002), the one that states 98% of the seals are killed in a humane manner (as per dastafak's commentary). Dr. Crook stated she knows full well how the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Canada have used her 2002 report as a blatant piece of propaganda. During an earlier phone conversation in 2003 she told me she was not happy that the DFO were using this report, she also stated that in no way does this report endorse the hunt (read: slaughter). Dr. Crook went on to say she is aware that the vast majority of sealers are not following the reports recommended procedures (blink test and cranium palpation) to ensure the seal is actually dead before it is skinned (proving the slaughter is not humane). She also said that the sealers have resisted the recommendations the CVA presented them with and are going about things as business as usual. In short the lunatics are running the asylum.
I spoke with Dr. Crook again in early September of 2005, she informed me that the CVA's 2002 special report vol. 43 has been updated with a new report that is the result of a new collaboration of veterinarians calling themselves the Independent Veterinary Work Group (IVWG - August, 2005 www.ivwg.org). Dr. Crook went on to say that one of the main reasons for the new IVWG report was because the sealers have not been following the recommendations presented to them in 2002 and because the slaughter is not being regulated, monitored and enforced in an acceptable manner.
Well things have changed and even these pro DFO veterinarians can no longer turn a blind eye to what is a reality. Here are but a few of the highlights from this report:
1.) "Because of its remoteness and difficult environmental conditions it (the slaughter) is generally considered not to be well observed or monitored"
Comment: The DFO claims the slaughter is humane yet without effective monitoring there is no way to prove this is so. In fact left to their own devices sealers (who believe seals are nothing more than a species of fish as noted in the IVWG report) will act with haste to ensure the maximum number of seals killed regardless of whether or not they are doing so in a humane manner.
2.) "The Group (IVWG) further notes that there many be an element of conflict of interest in the DFO being both an advocate for the seal hunt and its regulator."
Comment: The DFO is the same organization that back in the 80's mismanaged the slaughter and attempted to cover up their incompetence. Later on even they admitted the slaughter was inherently cruel. In allowing the DFO to be in charge of the slaughter just as before is to invite disaster, this organization simply cannot be trusted, the comment above proves this and for as long as they remain in charge the seal slaughter will remain as it is, cruel beyond comprehension.
3.) Sealers do not understand the corneal reflex or blink test and are not utilizing it.
4.) Sealers are not manually palpitating the seal's skull following a hakapik blow to
ensure the animal is dead.
Comment: The sealers have no wish to follow the recommendation of any outside organization. In fact historically they have reacted violently to any advice offered. In the report it state the "Sealers have asked for the groups help to make the hunt as humane as possible" this was most certainly pressed on them by the DFO due in part to the rising resistance to the slaughter. In fact I believe the DFO orchestrated this report only for the result to backfire on them (they most probably thought they could control the IVWG) Please do not forget that 3 years have past without any of the recommendations presented by the (pro DFO) Canadian Veterinary Organization being adopted. The IVWG report of 2005 is proof positive of this.
5.) "The season is too short resulting in increased competitiveness and reduced caution
and adherence to procedures."
Comment: Sealers are paid for seals killed not for being humane. Add a complete lack of monitoring on the part of the DFO and again you have a recipe for disaster.
6.) "International Fund for Animal Welfare videos also show numerous examples of
striking with a hakapik (i.e. seals being clubbed) that are not followed by
checking either by palpation of the skull or observation of absence of corneal
reflex."
Comment: "Numerous examples" equates to numerous seals being skinned alive.
7.) "No Seals should be shot in the water."
Comment: Many Seals are shot in the water (the reason why this comment was made by the IVWG) only to slip under the ice. Many of these seals will die a slow agonizing death; furthermore they will not be counted as part of the final quota.
8.) "The Canadian Harp Seal has the potential to be a humane hunt."
Comment: This statement was made simply because the IVWG is a pro DFO organization with 2 of its main authors directly benefiting from an ongoing association with the DFO, they had to make this comment or else... Make no mistake though, after decades of evidence of abhorrent cruelty this slaughter can never be humane. Furthermore the burning question is if the hunt has the potential to be humane just what has it been for all these the years past?
In all there are 27 pages worth of issues being raised that paint a very poor picture in regards to how the DFO regulates and monitors this slaughter. If you read between the lines there is also a considerable amount of evidence both direct and indirect that supports the fact that this slaughter is not humane.
Throughout this report the reader is left with one burning question; if this slaughter is so well regulated and humane why then are there so many recommendations being made by the very veterinarians the DFO claims endorses the slaughter in its current form?
In closing dastafak has proven the adage "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" correct yet again and is more than 3 years behind the times.
For anyone who is interested in knowing the REAL truth I have attached the new 2005 Independent Veterinary Work Group report to this email (PDF file). Please keep in mind the new 2005 report would not exist if the seal slaughter were humane.
As for footage of seals being skinned alive. There is enough video material to cover the Great Pyramids and then some, the only problem is it is so graphic and horrible to watch the media will not play it. And anyone that decides they wish to see it for themselves, be prepared for the worse.
Steve Thompson
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Independent Veterinary Work Group - 2005 - report on the Seal Slaughter
This ex-seal hunter — who doesn't want to be identified by name — now works for the Colorado-based Natural Habitat Adventures. NatHab organizes trips like the photo tour hoping that by bringing more tourist dollars to the area, the locals — who kill to provide for their families — will no longer need to do so on anything like this scale.
The ex-seal hunter says he regrets his years killing baby seals: "Once you start working with nature — it's like your own children," he says.
Wouldn't we have a wonderful world if we all treated our children this way.
what a positive man! Too bad everyone can not feel as he does.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. (CP) - The owner of a small business in rural Newfoundland is worried that negative publicity surrounding the seal hunt will hurt the local economy.
Eileen Freake of Peg's Bed and Breakfast in Fogo, N.L., said Thursday that she found one e-mail from a woman in Vancouver was particularly upsetting.
"She said 'We hope the next tsunami takes out the Rock. We won't weep.' I thought that was kind of nasty," said Freake.
She said the woman who wrote it added that she wouldn't support her business as long as the seal hunt continues.
Freake has also been getting e-mails from the United States.
"I haven't responded to any of them because I'm sure it's going to have some effect on our businesses. A lot of our visitors come from other parts of Canada and the States."
The second stage of the seal hunt is underway in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The largest hunt, off northern Newfoundland in an area known as the Front, begins next week.
In regards to someones post: I hear on CBC that Deb Ozarka in BC is sending hate mail to all the B&B's and tourist homes in small town Nfld. She is a client of HSUS . Boy this is getting ugly.
She has been getting them from all over Canada and the US, now you are going to say that all the letters are from clients of ARA's? Tell the whole story. Not just the one that makes your pea brain way of explaining things look high and mighty. Always trying to make it look like all people against this slaughter are ARA's.
Also when you post something saying CBC says...post the link for facts or the article! Because at this point all I have is your say so. And I am not looking it up because you failed to mention the whole story, why should I?(based on the statement of cbc concerning Deb Ozark and the letters, failing to mention they are coming from many places.)
To correct an earlier point wherein it was stated that the only other country buying seal oil is China.....seal oil is sold in at least 10 other countries and the market is expanding .....why do some people persist in saying things that aren't true ?
I would like to suggest that the people that are "scary" are the people who endorse, encourage and/or participate in this slaughter. How can a pro-slaughetr Newfoundlander call any person scary????? Wake up and smell the coffee brewing right under your nose. I think the very notion of raising a hakpik to an innocent baby who has yet to develop his/her ability to swim yet: S-C-A-R-Y. A person writing an email or a letter voicing his/her opinion AGAINST your "way of life" simply pales in comparison on the SCARY scale. P.S. Isn't Rebecca Aldworth from Newfoundland? What is your excuse for her SCARY behavior? Oh yes, let me guess, she is personally profiting from all the HSUS donations. How silly of me. Of course that is her reason for putting the shame spotlight on her own people.
Yes, I heard that interview with the manufacturer of seal oil on CBC . Regarding some guy's demand for links when referencing the CBC , some of us listen to radio news and watch news on TV. Some of us also get our information from newspapers/magazines . Everything doesn't come from a " link ". If information does come from the internet , your teacher may require source documentation but not general blogs. I won't even talk about using statements from phantom sealers .
Regarding Ms. Aldworth, there are 520,000 people in Nfld . Ms. Aldworth is 1. I don't think you should put much emphasis on that angle to support your position. Regarding the cynical comment that she is profiting from HSUS donations , do you think she is a) a volunteer or b) an employee . There is nothing wrong with being an employee of course but you probably think she is a volunteer. Wanna buy some land ? She's doing a good job and surely deserves a big bonus from her employer . I mean that. H$U$ is big , big business.
i wrote an earlier blog using the word " scary " and someone called me a pea brain. Hey , take it easy I have feelings :). The last time I was called pea brain I was 14...
There is nothing wrong with writing letters of protest. I think it's a great method of achieving change. The problem is that if you wish harm to a large group of people then that is hate mail, not " voicing opinion ". And that scares people - which it is designed to do - and illegal.
Hi. Some good points - for and against. I'm lukewarm on the seal hunt. The thing that troubles me the most is the way HSUS ( H$U$ , I like that ) manipulates the press. If you google the lady from BC ( Ozarko ) who is writing those terrible letters you will see on her site that she is a consultant for HSUS ! What a great way to make consulting fees ! Also, if you google that lady who offered to raise ( not pay ) the $16 million to stop the hunt you will find that she is on the HSUS Advisory Committee. I don't have the names of the other letter writers but it's a safe bet that many of them are part of a scripted blitz by HSUS to steer the media. I think the Liberals should hire the HSUS machine to run their next election. Please don't hurl insults at me , I'm just throwing out some facts . Goodbye
The HSUS has seen a cause worth fighting for - innocent/undeveloped baby seals being slaughtered for their pelts - meat left to rot on the ice - squeeze some voodoo oil out for some capsules while you are it. They appeal to compassionate people - people with a conscience. I am not an employee of the HSUS nor am I a volunteer. I have contributed in the past and I will continue to contribute, ESPECIALLY to the PROTECT SEALS campaign. And while I am it, I will not visit your country again nor will I purchase any of your produce or goods. You are upset that the HSUS has a long arm and they are getting the word out about your slaughter - headed up by one of your own. Fellow Canadians are speaking out against your slaughter. And what is so wrong with a celebrity using his fame to tell the world how you are clubbing baby seals to death - and trying desperately to offer you productive solutions for a brighter future? Apparently you will be spending some of your hard earned seal slaughter dollars next year to defend your slaughter. Something tells me your "campaign" will fall on deaf ears. A three week old seal is a baby - no campaign can prove otherwise.
hi, first time here, pro sealers you have no basis and no truthful tounge. Animal rights activist are more people than you can count, they include many of your own people. People who are against it are not all ara's. And the lady stated she was getting letters from all over. Not from just ARA's. The HSUS woman was not payed to write mean letters. What a moron. People donate money to ARA's not people get payed to write letters for them. They are not the DFO and Canadian lying politicians. You are as unintelligent as your own people claim you are. Get an education. Then you may see yourselves they way the rest of the world sees you. You might also have an intelligent word to fight with. Sad thing is, it is Canadians not related to the hunt being hurt. People are getting sick of you far and wide. Get this, the ARA's are people just like your neighbor, your doctor. What a joke on the pro side this thread is. It is easy to blame the ARA's for the worlds increasing hatred of you, but the truth is, it is you bloody killers for money that are to blame. I am with the gal, I hope the place is totaled by the next naturally disaster. Then only then will you stop selling pieces of life for profit. Anything you can sell for profit. That is who you are and who you have always been.
good for Canada sell toxic seal oil, what a joke. I saw the numbers, from your governments seal product sales report from 2005, after this gets out I doubt it will help any. The market is not growing the government stats said "promising" but low sales. You people are illegally injecting it into swine and chicken without consumer knowledge. What a joke your country has turned out to be.
If anyone of you can read. Oh the media has been so manipulated. You people are ignorant of all the fact. And will always remain that way. Ignorant by choice allows you to kill for money or any other thing you see fit to do for profit.
The Economics of the Canadian Seafood Boycott
by Stephen Best
Most elected and unelected policy makers and industry stakeholders have a poor understanding of the economics of consumer boycotts. This lack of knowledge, combined with political misjudgment, means the inevitable policy changes necessary to end consumer boycotts are rarely made in a timely manner. The result is that well conceived, well implemented, and broadly supported consumer boycotts, like the Canadian Seafood Boycott, last far too long and inflict far more economic hardship than is necessary.
Mark Small, the president of Northeast Sealers Co-op in Wild Cove, Newfoundland, typifies this problem. Small is quoted in the St. John’s Telegram saying, “the declining supply of fish products, coupled with a healthy demand, will neutralize any effort by animal rights groups to boycott Canadian products.” Small is not only wrong about the economics of the Canadian Seafood Boycott, but also his views are indicative of the misguided values, the political short sightedness, and the failed management strategies that have destroyed most of Canada’s fisheries. It is this prevailing, destructive, and entrenched attitude towards marine mammals and marine ecosystem management that has forced environmental and animal welfare groups to implement the Canadian Seafood Boycott.
The Canadian Seafood Boycott relies on the fact that Canadian seafood exhibits what economists term “perfectly elastic demand.” By that is meant, there are readily available “perfect” substitutes for Canadian seafood: either seafood products from other countries or alternate food products. Seafood is not a food staple in the United States or the European Union, two of the Canadian fishing industry’s largest export markets, and the foci of the Canadian Seafood Boycott. The Canadian Seafood Boycott will reduce demand for Canadian seafood; that is a given. But more importantly, the promotion of the Canadian Seafood Boycott along with widespread grassroots activism will generate the perception among wholesale seafood buyers that consumer demand for Canadian seafood will inevitably decline. Perception is a major determiner of buying decisions. The fact and the perception of reduced consumer demand will positively reinforce each other, and accelerate the declines in both the wholesale and retail price of Canadian seafood. Economic theory also suggests that lower wholesale prices will lead to increased sales thereby maintaining the volume of Canadian seafood sold at or near present levels (assuming species stocks can be maintained, which is not happening for most species under present Canadian management regimes.) For Canadian fishermen and the fishing industry, the situation could not be worse. Prices decline while costs remain stable. Profits become losses.
It is likely that the Canadian Seafood Boycott will take about two years to achieve the maximum decline in consumer demand for “Product of Canada” seafood. At that time, boycotting Canadian seafood to save the seals will have become as firmly entrenched in the popular culture as did boycotting California grapes, dolphin unfriendly tuna, and Apartheid-era South African wine. At maximum economic effect, the Canadian Seafood Boycott will likely reduce the wholesale price for Canadian seafood by 25% to 50%, costing the Canadian fishing industry $820 million to $1.64 billion annually or 50 to 100 times the current value of the seal hunt. These losses cannot be sustained. Consequently, the Canadian government and/or the fishing industry will likely find it necessary to negotiate an end to the seal hunt in order to restore the economic viability of the fishing industry and to avoid the political consequences of significant job losses.
Unfortunately, ending the seal hunt after two or more years of the Canadian Seafood Boycott will not result in an immediate return to previous wholesale price or employment levels. All effective boycotts take some years to be forgotten by consumers. The detrimental effects of the Canadian Seafood Boycott can be expected to last for many years after the seal hunt is ended. The only way to prevent this is for policy makers to act in the best interests of all and to end the seal hunt as quickly as possible, well before American and European consumers make avoiding “Product of Canada” seafood a routine purchasing practice.
In a March 17, 2005 press release, Geoff Regan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans claimed that, “It is especially disturbing that some organizations are seeking to damage a legitimate Canadian activity and Canada's reputation abroad in public-relations campaigns in order to raise money for their organizations.” Just as Mark Small has a poor understanding of boycott economics, so too does Geoff Regan about the values, economics, and policy objectives of non profit organizations.
Although their motivations are the polar opposite of the fishing industry’s, the groups participating in the Canadian Seafood Boycott are also subject to economic influences. Like Canadian seafood, environmental and animal protection issues—economically—exhibit perfectly elastic demand. For all groups, there are perfect substitutes for the Canadian seal hunt issue. Consequently, non profit groups are not trying to protect harp and hooded seals from Mr. Regan’s deplorable marine mammal policies in order “to raise money.” Rather, they are working to end the Canadian commercial seal hunt because it is an economic activity based on the destructive values that are destroying any hope of humankind ever achieving an ecologically sustainable, just, and humane global economy. Membership acquisition and fund raising, an integral part of non profit management, is incidental, though necessary, to achieving this objective.
Unlike the Canadian fishing industry, economics work in favor of the groups participating in the Canadian Seafood Boycott. It is not in the participating groups’ ethical, environmental, humane, and policy interests for the Canadian Seafood Boycott to be prolonged longer than necessary. Their objective is not a boycott, but rather the end of the commercial seal hunt. However, if Canadian politicians and the fishing industry choose to endure the boycott and suffer its economic consequences, they will not only make the boycott’s participating groups stronger in terms of membership and donations, but also make it possible for them to sustain the Canadian Seafood Boycott indefinitely. Properly conceived and implemented consumer boycotts, like the Canadian Seafood Boycott, enjoy broad support because they give hundreds of millions of consumers who are concerned about an issue a demonstrably effective way to help solve a problem. The longer the Canadian Seafood Boycott lasts, the greater the number of consumers who will learn about it and support it. This will produce increased participation in the groups promoting the boycott and, inevitably, increased membership and donation levels which will be used to further promote the boycott.
In conclusion, economically and politically, the Canadian Seafood Boycott is a worst case scenario for the Canadian seafood industry, the federal government, and elected officials, and a best case scenario for the seals, the marine environment, and environmental and animal protection groups. The longer the Canadian Seafood Boycott lasts, the weaker financially Canada’s seafood industry will become, while the organizations promoting the boycott will become stronger in the human and financial resources necessary to promote the boycott. For elected officials who function in their own “vote” economy, as the job and economic losses rise, defending the commercial seal hunt will change from an electoral advantage to a liability.
Stephen Best is a founding director of Environment Voters, and developed the initial strategy for the Canadian Seafood Boycott; his discussion paper is available at the Canadian Seafood Boycott website: http://BoycottCanadianSeafood.net. Mr. Best helped develop and implement the economic and political strategies that led to the 1983 European seal import ban. He was responsible for the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s United Kingdom Canadian fish products boycott in 1984. And, in 1994, he developed and helped implement the International Wildlife Coalition’s Caribbean tourism boycott that proved necessary to secure the votes for the establishment of the International Whaling Commission’s Antarctic Sanctuary.
I'm not involved in the seal hunt in any way. Please don't call people you don't know uneducated. I have several degrees ( like many in Nfld ) and you're probably a student who keeps reposting and replying to yourself. Lighten up and try to debate without resorting to juvenile insults. Au Revoir.
I do believe all the comments going on in this post started again from
april 8, 2006 at 4:55 pm and moved on from there, or possibly a little
before. I guess it gets confusing when everyone is anon.
Here is the link to cbs news on that phanthom sealer.
He must think pro sealers are scary not to want to identify himself.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/08/eveningnews/main1483006.shtml
For an objective assessment of H$U$, check out charitywatch.org. They rate H$U$ as a D minus because of the way they use the donations . You have to pay $3 for the report but well worth it, especially if you donate to this group. Alternatively , save your $3 and give to WWF where your money will be spent properly.
http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/3047
now you sealers are starting to perturb the rest of us, you messing with our right to earn a living now!
Tourism brings more money to this country than sealing ever has, is the government going to afford all of
us in the tourist industry when your Traditional Slaughter puts the rest of us out of work?
Do you really think anyone is going to believe the last post is in the Canadian tourism industry ? Give us some credit guys. The link is to the latest opportunistic group " Friends of Animals " , based in Connecticut as is presumably the author of the post . Quick: who's the Prime Minister of Canada :)
If you read newspapers and watch the news and search online, you will know that tourism has been a concern for over two years.
Even statements made by your own BB operator will tell you they are not lying. Also read news articles about tourism decline from BC to Ontario. After all why would anyone want to go there? So that they can have to remember this, NOT, most of the worlld wants no part of Canada for this reason including your own, but they can not escape. You do not even realise that your country as a whole depends more on tourism than anything. Because you are lost in your own world right now. Hey what do you care? You can still go kill seal. You think your own has formed hatred of you over the past, this is exactly why. Just wait your slaughter is beginning to hurt their ability to make an honest living. While your annual slaughter not only brings economic problems to the rest of them, but shame to them also, many are saying they are not even proud to be Canadian anymore. What a great thing to make your own people feel. That must be a good feeling. You do not ever care when you hurt your own. No wonder a majority of Canadians feel the way they do about you. I have a good feeling you keep going there will never be a place on earth where you can tell where you are from and get any respect. Because you will wait till you have killed every chance for that.
Do you really think anyone is going to believe the last post is in the Canadian tourism industry ? Give us some credit guys. The link is to the latest opportunistic group " Friends of Animals " , based in Connecticut as is presumably the author of the post . Quick: who's the Prime Minister of Canada :)
What is Stephen Harper going to MAKE Americans and others worldwide do, visit Canada? Get this no one wants to come here after seeing your handy work with the seals.
American tourism gives Canadians most of their business, it is a boycott of American tourist to Canada DUH! No one said it was in the Canadian tourism industry. It is in the American tourism industry to Canada. The EU's opposition could cost Canada half a billion annually in tourism. Imagine what America can cost Canadians. The Canadian tourism industry can not boycott itself. CLUELESS.
Can anyone tell me why Costco has not restocked the omega at St. Johns yet?
In your 8:45 post you were pretending to be a Canadian . Good try. Your answer , PM Harper , is correct. Gotta rush , late for class.
Regarding Costco, maybe the earlier blogs were right. They said the oil contains mercury and is toxic. Also, those Newfs are secretly injecting swine and chicken illegally without consumer knowledge. Maybe Costco has uncovered this and won't restock.
Every heard of www.thesealfishery.com?
I am the guy that posted the 8:45, I rent out cottages in Tamiskaming.
Or use to and a lot of them. Thanks to your slaughter have gotten many
letters from people who come every year, that have now decided Canada
is just not for them. What did you think I was, German or something?
Your barbaric traditional slaughter which aint even yours but the coastals
and Inuits is costing a lot of others in your own country their living. It
is high time this ended before welfare becomes a lot of peoples only option.
It will take an act of God to help tourism after it is destroyed. It took
years to build up and a whole lot of money in the first place, after the 1980's.
I do not expect a pack of the likes of yous to understand or comprehend the effect
you can have on everything. Even your economy in a more negative than positive way
from this tradition you claim belongs to Canadians. Pfeeeew, what a damn lie.
http://www.torontoalliance.ca/urban_challenges/tourism/articles.asp?articleID=558
here is a link to Toronto, gues this publicity is helping. YEAH RIGHT!
http://www.polskieradio.pl/polonia/article.asp?tId=35299&j=2
I was in Costco , St. John's Thursday night. There is a very large display of seal oil and it has been moved to the front entrance.
The 8:18 am guy was just having some fun and ridiculing the earlier comments about a ( global ) conspiracy to sell unsafe seal oil and secrecetly inject animals. I thought it was kind of funny as I don't think anyone really believes that conspriracy stuff...or do they ?
alpha-linolenic acid omega 3 seal oil, yes it is happening your government markets and approves it. It is being injected into the swine. Where have you been?
Specification of Seal Oil
Technical Data Sheet
1. Ingredients 100% Natural Seal Oil with 0.3% D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate added as anti-oxidant 2. Physical Appearance: A clear, yellowish, oily liquid with pleasant fishy flavour and aroma, The Gardener Colour standard is 2 – 4. 3. Microbiological Specification: Total Aerobic Count: <10 cfu/g, Yeast & Mold: <100/g,E. Coli: Negative, Salmonella spp: Negative 4. Packaging Specifications: 200 kgs packaged in food grade plastic drum. Normal refrigeration is required. 5. Shelf Life: 3 to 5 years in refrigerated conditions 6. Kosher Status: Non-kosher 7. Manufacture: Product is prepared involving process of cold pressing, centrifuging and mechanical filtering, No chemical solvent is involved. The entire Manufacturing process is under strict sanitary Conditions, in accordance with Canadian Food & Drug Regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. 8. PCB & Heavy Metals: PCB’s: 0.220 ppm Total DDT: <1.0 ppm, (DDT + DDE + DDD), Heavy Metals: <2.0 ppm, Mercury: <0.02 ppm 9. Major Fatty Acid Profile:
This is the profile from Dr. Ho's own website, he markets the omega 3 as "the heathiest omega". It has mercury and environmental poisons, It was released after someone else disclosed the info. The government says little will not hurt you, but who knows. Science says it has adverse affects on fetuses and children along with elderly. It is a cancer causing agent also. That is the truth, no anti seal bull. So if you guys that take it see an up soar of cancers you know why pesticides and such. Please do not just shrug this off. They also sell malachite green fish a banned chemical in world trade. You can find that too.
Also you can do a search canadian swine omega and stuff, it will come out. These are not genetically engineered (cloned)so they are not grown natural. Just read it.
You forget in your post to mention the fact, when it is considered natural or a health suplement, that a minimum of test are required.
Canadian standards are lower and regulations are not as strict.
So who knows what else, that was all it was tested for.
bugger off clare! lol...:)
Are you guys serious about this seal oil conspiracy ? I think you're joking......or maybe you're members of the Elvis Lives Society.
As an Albertan living in St John's (not by choice, we were sent for a year with an oil company) I am disgusted by this seal hunt. The world is not stupid...you honestly think that millions are fooled by false information. The facts of the hunt have been studied for years and the animal rights people know what they see. They have top vets, marine biologists and lawyers working for them. These are not gullible people. Also, the sealers can't possibly load all those thousands of carcasses on a boat for the meat. MOST of it is left to rot on the ice. It's cruel and barbaric. Nobody wants seal fur or flippers either. Gross. Stop clinging to old ways just because they are old ways. The world has advanced....you're welcome to join us.
As for Costco...the shopping in St John's has been great with less people! Just because Mr. Williams frowns upon shopping there right now doesn't impress me in the least. I'll give the guy one thing though..his charisma is so great that Newfoundlanders follow the guy like a cult leader. Somewhat scary to see.
I'll be glad to get home.
I spoke to a manager at Costco the other day who is a Newfoundlander of course. He said that before the seal hunt became big news the seal oil capsules were among the worst selling products in the store. Why?? No one wants them!! They are expensive and gross (my opinion.
The ONLY reasons everyone made a fuss is because of pride. This was not a hot commodity that was suddenly gone!
I wonder now , if they were brought back, would every Newfie go out and buy a bottle?? Somehow I doubt it.
Here is the list of restaurants involved in the boycott according to the Sea Shepherd site.
If you are in the area of one of these over the next little while you may wan't to pop in and let them know you had planned to eat there but because of what they are doing you won't. (that is if you can figure out which 30% of them are really involved rather than simply listed by the ARA groups)
Athena Restaurant Bronx, NY
Golden Eagle Restaurant Bronx, NY
Georges Restaurant Bronx, NY
Qualyty Caffe - Restaurant Bronx, NY
Paisano's Trattoria Restaurant Bronx, NY
The Athena Restaurant Bronxville, NY
The Village Cup and Saucer Bronxville, NY
Village Natural Market Bronxville, NY
360 ° North Bronxville, NY
101 Kraft Ave. Bistro Bronxville, NY
Underhills Crossing Restaurant Bronxville, NY
J. C. Fogarty's Bronxville, NY
Scarborough Fair Restaurant Bronxville, NY
Gino's Pizza Restaurant, Pondfield Road West Bronxville, NY
River Valley Ranch Burlington, WI
Fins Restaurant Group Calabasas, CA
Sagebrush Cantina Calabasas, CA
Pinnochio's Restaurant Eastchester, NY
Delmonico's Lobster House Encino, CA
Sundance Natural Foods Eugene, OR
Hunan Larchmont Larchmont, NY
Bella Vita Mohengan Lake, NY
Calabash Mt. Vernon, NY
Coloseo Di Roma Mt. Vernon, NY
Villa Latina Restaurant Mt. Vernon, NY
Galito's Mt. Vernon, NY
Padaminas Café Mt. Vernon, NY
Brazil 2000 Restaurante Mt. Vernon, NY
Villa Nova New Rochelle, NY
Gino’s Pizzeria Restaurant New York
Maria's Coffee Shop New York
Mezzaluna New York
Lenny's Restaurant New York, NY
Eastchester Fish Gourmet Scarsdale, NY
Treehouse Sports Bar & Grille Simi Valley, CA
Seascape Restaurant Trinidad, CA
Gina Marie's Trattoria Westchester, NY
Nicky's Restaurant White Plains, NY
Valentino's Yonkers, NY
Polonaise Catering Yonkers, NY
Ricky's Seafood Restaurant Yonkers, NY
By the way, for you ARA's who missed it on the news last night and who still think Canada's federal government will eventually cancel the hunt, here's a news flash for you.
One of Canada's Federal Members of Parliament has applied for and recieved a seal hunting license. he is on his way to the ice floes where he will take part in the hunt.
In an interview he said that he has been asked by some of his fellow MP's in Ottawa to bring back some meat so they can give it a try.
Sounds good to me. As soon as they taste it and see how good it is there'll be no chance of stopping the hunt. You can't separate a politician from his simple pleasures you know.
I just spotted this on a site out of the U.S. I had no idea animal rights groups were also trying to stop aquaculture operations. My God, aquaculture is just farm raised fish isn't it? What's wrong with that?
I still don't like the seal hunt but I won't be supporting any of those crackpot groups anymore, in fact I'm ashamed to be associated with them. Just read this clip from the site:
"What motivates aquaculture protest groups?
September 26, 2005 - News
Novi, Michigan, 26 September 2005 - The headline of this article is a slight modification of the headline used by Newfoundland freelance writer Myles Higgins in his article “What Motivates Seal Hunt Protest Groups?” His article could just as well have been written about the motivation driving all the NGOs opposing fish farming. As you read Mr. Higgins’ article, you may see the distinct similarities in tactics used. In fact, many of the groups mentioned in his article are also the most active anti aquaculture advocates, and their reason for being is the same: making a living off of other peoples money donated based on ignorance...."
Is this right?
I keep seeing people quoting Paul Watson on this site like he's the second coming. I know he calls himself a shepherd but believe me folks he has his supporters swindled.
Want to know the truth. Below is a financial expose I did on him last year. In an effort to help Costco should they need any (which I doubt) I also sent it to them and copied the great shepherd himself. I figure the best weapon Costco has, and the only one they will really need, is to prove the truth about the person backing the boycott call.
Enjoy the truth for a change:
Paul Watson: A Financial Expose
It appears that one of my recent articles on seal hunt protest groups sparked a strongly worded response / rebuttal from Mr. Paul Watson, President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
In his comments Mr. Watson took it upon himself to question my research and belittle both my intelligence and character. In fairness to Mr. Watson, I must admit that referencing the SPCA in that article was indeed a mistake on my part. I had intended to refer to the Human Society of the U.S., but rather than HSUS I referenced the SPCA. For that, I sincerely apologize.
With regard to Mr. Watson’s other comments, I stand by the piece.
Since I have written several articles on sealing in the past, without comment from Watson, I can only assume that broaching the subject of finances is what spurred his venomous and childlike response.
Watson stated that the Society’s financial dealings are a matter of public record and available for anyone who wants to view them. As we all know financial records are what you make of them and can sometimes create more questions than they answer.
With this in mind, the following information has been gathered by myself and other interested parties including members of a U.S. based lobby group. All information, as Watson has stated, is a matter of public record. Various sources have been used including IRS returns.
This list is by no means all inclusive.
The Public Record:
1 - In 2000 Sea Shepherd reported income of $129,749 from consulting fees however there was no indication what sort of consulting this was, or for whom it was performed. Coincidentally, in the tax year immediately following, Paul Watson, who has long prided himself in not taking any salary from the society, began doing just that.
2 - In 2002 the Sea Shepherd Society passed out $35,000 in grants. Despite IRS requirements to do so, the Society did not divulge the recipients of those grants.
3 - In 2003 Sea Shepherd made a grant of $8,000 to OrcaForce International, a group supposedly started by Watson’s ex-wife . Even though the Sea Shepherd Society’s tax return shows this $8,000 amount as a contribution, at the time, the OrcaForce address was listed on the society’s web site as a Sea Shepherd International address.
Over the years several instances have been identified where assets have been moved between Sea Shepherd and OrcaForce and although OrcaForce appears to have a Canadian address, investigation did not uncover any registration or structural information on this group in either the U.S. or Canada.
4 - The liabilities of the Sea Shepherd Society jumped from $2,122, which was about normal for this group, to $222,889 in 1999. Most of this amount was related to a Mortgage at Washington Federal Savings and Loan however as far as could be determined, no details of what this loan is related to are available.
5 – Although the Sea Shepherd Society does not have a large number of donors those who contribute do so in a very big way and many of these gifts are one time donations. This would appear to be a little out of the ordinary for an organization of this type since most non-profits rely on large numbers of smaller gifts to operate.
Often, rather than hard cash, gifts to Sea Shepherd take the form of stock in major corporations. Contributions to the society have been made in everything from Harley Davidson stock ($122,000 from guitarist Mike Galesi) to Exxon-Mobile stock valued at nearly 100,000 gifted by a Ms. Whilhelmina Angel of Florida.
The donation of Exxon-Mobile stock may have been purely legitimate, however it appears to be an odd gift for Mr. Watson to accept when one considers his comments at a speaking engagement just last month.
"I won't give one penny for Katrina relief. Ill give for the animals but not for relief efforts until the oil companies pony up millions for the destruction caused by global warming."
Although many of the Society’s contributors are from the U.S, there have been some Canadian donors as well, including one who made her donation by way of Wappel Law in Toronto. This law firm works with non-profit organizations and boasts Tom Wappel the Liberal Party member for Scarborough Southwest, who recently voted in Parliment on a bill related to non-profit organizations, as a Senior Partner.
6 – The following is a rather lengthy and complex set of circumstances. Most of the items listed below might not appear interesting on their own, however when viewed together they are rather disconcerting.
- One of Sea Shepherd’s biggest financial supporters is Ms. Ann Johnston, wife of Florida land developer Mr. Pritam Singh (not his original name). Mr. Singh, (original name Paul LaBombard) was banned from banking for life in 1995 and ordered to pay $1.2 million dollars by federal bank regulators for his financing activities on a Key West business. According to the Key News Journal, Singh has also been investigated by the FBI for his questionable business practices and a Key West attorney has filed a lawsuit against him, alleging almost 20 years of criminal activity -- including racketeering and fraud.
- Both Singh and his wife are very closely connected with both the Sea Shepherd Society and the Watson family.
- The relationship between Johnston, Singh and Watson goes back a number of years. In September of 2003 Ms. Johnston’s signature appears, along with Watson’s and his wife’s, on a loan for property listed at the same address in Washington State as the Society’s headquarters. A Deed of Trust was filed in September of that year stating that a property in “Friday Harbor” Washington was used to secure this loan valued at about $221,000.
According to a recent St. John’s Telegram article, the same day this transaction took place, in fact just 5 hours after afterward, Ms. Johnston gave a 66% interest in the land to the Watson’s for $10 dollars. This gift was not to the Society itself, but rather to the Watson’s directly. Also at that time, Johnston granted the Watsons another option on propterty. The Watson’s secured additional mortgages of $50,000 and $30,000 on April 15, 2004. Within two months all debts were paid off in full.
IRS returns for the Society in that year reported that Sea Shepherd had sold a property listed as “Friday Harbor land and buildings” for $165,938, reporting a loss on the transaction of $184,862. Is this the same property that was used just a couple of months before to secure a $221,000 loan?
Although a search of San Juan County records did not reveal the "Friday Harbor" transaction having taken place, they do show a flurry of transactions involving both Paul Watson and Ann Johnston.
- In addition to her involvement in a property loan, Ms. Johnston cemented herself as a premier contributor by making a donation to the Society claimed to have been valued at nearly 2.7 million dollars. This gift consisted of a company called “Northern Development Associates”, a for-profit business with holdings in Alaska.
- Both Johnston and her husband Singh have not only shown great financial generosity to the Sea Shepherd Society, Mr. Singh has also been listed as a member of the financial and management advisory board for the Society, despite his less than spotless financial history.
- When Paul Watson was elected as director of the Sierra club in 2003 he listed his home as “Misty Fjords Lodge”, even though he has admitted that he never actually lived there. This lodge, which was a part of the 2.7 million dollar “Northern Development Associates” gift, has been identified by Watson as a research facility however the lodge is registered with the US forestry service as having a permit as a fishing lodge. It appears to qualify as the only licensed fishing lodge inside Misty Fjords National Monument in Alaska.
- A corporate search shows two relevant entities named “Northern Development Associates”. One of these is in Alaska (where the lodge is located), the other is in Florida (where Ann Johnston and her husband, developer Pritam Singh, live). Records show major overlap between both the names and addresses of many board members of the Sea Shepherd society, “Northern Development Associates” and various companies owned by Singh / Johnston.
For example, records show that in 1999 Watson’s ex-wife Lisa Distefano, who has been connected with the mysterious OrcaForce organization, was a board member of “Northern Development Associates”. At the time her address of record was listed as that of Mr. Singh’s golf course development in Key West. In addition to Ms. Distefano, several other members of the Sea Shepherd Society board have shown multiple addresses and many of these can be traced directly back to Singh properties.
- IRS documents also show that the non-profit, donation run, Sea Shepherd society made a series of loans to its wholly-owned affiliate, the for-profit “Northern Development Associates”, between 1998 and 2003.
- Tax returns for “Northern Development Associates” show losses of $222,611 in 2000, $201,180 in 2001 and $127,633 in 2002. All the while, “Northern Development Associates” was receiving loans from the tax exempt Sea Shepherd Society to the tune of nearly $900,000.
- In 2002, for the first time in history, Sea Shepherd's tax return showed the Society had incorporated the losses of “Northern Developments Associates” into its own bottom line even though it was gifted to the Society years before.
- On November 8, 2004, the Misty Fjords Lodge (the primary asset of "Northern Development Associates"), was sold to a newly-formed company, Misty Fjords, LLC, located at 6805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida. Online records at the Florida Department of State’s Corporations Division name the President/Director of Misty Fjords, LLC as none other than Pritam Singh, the husband of the original donor Ms. Johnston.
At the time of sale the property was identified by the realtor as being listed for $1 million dollars under the appraised value.
- In April of 1999 the Sea Shepherd Society received a donation of a “Key West Home and Land” in Florida which the Society claimed was valued at $329,500. They re-sold this property less than 2 months later for $850,000 yet claimed an overall loss on the transaction of more than $265,000 due to related costs.
According to sources, a search of Monroe County, Florida (Marathon, Key West) records show that Sea Shepherd sold a “Single Family Home” at 5 Crane Blvd., Sugarloaf Key, FL for $850,000 on June 2, 1999. A mapquest and 1999 satellite photo search find no structures at this location.
Sea Shepherd reported $64,070 in expenses for maintenance at the Key West property as “Program Service Expenses,” indicating the money was spent to further the organization’s tax-exempt purpose.
It is not known if Singh or Johnston were involved in this transaction since the name of the donor was not found in available documents however this information may be contained in Statement 1 of Sea Shepherd’s Form 990 tax return for fiscal 1998 submitted to the IRS.
What does it all mean?
Consider that this organization enjoys tax exempt status but appears to be involved very closely with questionable business interests. The Society and its leader have been involved in everything from intentionally sinking ships to booby trapping trees which loggers must try to harvest (the practice of which is suspected of seriously injuring at least one mill worker) and they've been involved in generally disrupting legal business enterprises.
Sea Shepherd claims to have multiple vessels in ports around the world yet there is some question as to exactly how many vessels they really own and operate at any given time.
Consider as well that this organization is run by a man who, even while the world grieved over 9/11, stated, "There's nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win." In fact, just recently with regard to people who do not accept his view of nature conservation, Watson said, “If [you] shot and killed a bank robber, you would be given a medal”
Again, what does all of this mean?
Perhaps it means nothing or perhaps it means everything.
It is difficult to understand how a group which employs terrorist tactics can be given tax free status by the U.S. government. Having said this, since Sea Shepherd is indeed considered a non-profit organization, it should not bother Watson to respond to what has the appearance of questionable financial activities and business relationships.
An explanation might prove worthwhile if for nothing else than to ease the minds of anyone who may have donated money to his organization.
Do these facts show illegal or even immoral activities? That question would be best answered by U.S. federal officials / authorities, but these items don’t reflect well on the organization and it would perhaps be in Mr. Watson’s best interest to clear them up for the public record.
According to sources, much of this information and more has already been presented to the IRS but due to a lack of resources and the percieved low priority of the case, a throrough investigation has yet to take place. After all, Mr. Watson does not practice is brand of what some refer to as “eco-terrorism” in that country as often as he does in others.
Some citizens of the U.S. and Canada have contributed to this group. These people, along with the governments of both nations and in particular the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, which has long been the target of the Society’s activities, should be more than interested in getting answers and in requesting that the IRS investigate these matters fully.
I'm sure the public would love to hear Mr. Watson’s explanation, however if he chooses not to respond that’s his decision. In reality his explanations should be given to IRS investigators.
Unlike Watson, I don’t underestimate anyone’s intelligence. I’m confident that our readers are more than smart enough to draw their own conclusions if he chooses not to officially clear these items up once and for all.
I watched that newscast about the MP taking meat to Ottawa. Nobody ASKED him too...he just said he was taking it. I'm sure they'll run screaming from the smell alone. Even Newfies have told me about the bad smell. Get your story straight and also realize that this MP sees this as a great way to win votes and endear himself to his constituents.
I know you guys are not ever going to quit killing seal,and everyone will suffer for your slaughter. Just like business owners from NL say, they have to hire outside of NL because you people won't work until your employment insurance is gone. What a shock. No one is trying to close down the agriculture industry (but Canada does still use pesticides illegal in most countries). Everyone is just tired of Omega 3 with heavy metals and environmental poisons showing up in everything without our knowledge to raise a market. We do not want to become the next high cancer province like your area, thank you very much. And a man from that area said "it is the pesticides they use". Why not google for newspaper articles. Then you may with your tunnel vision realize for a change what is truly happening. And not just with the seal. But surrounding government and issues. Omega 3, government trying to find a way to market it. Do you like eating malachite green content fish? I am sure you could care less, but it is a banned chemical in world trade, and is very dangerous for you even on small levels. As I say anything for the government to do anything for money, you know (taxes) it doesn't surprise. And your this is a conspiracy theory call it what you want. I call it NEGLECT!
Hey Anon,
Stephen Harper will not run. He will eat anything, have you looked at him lately?
His waistline is almost as big as his head.
Anon, you stated.....According to sources, much of this information and more has already been presented to the IRS but due to a lack of resources and the percieved low priority of the case, a throrough investigation has yet to take place. After all, Mr. Watson does not practice is brand of what some refer to as “eco-terrorism” in that country as often as he does in others.
ANWSER:
His largest donations are contributed by Americans. It is a charity so it is audited by the IRS on a full scale every three years. Because it is a charity organization and funds are raised. The country in which the funds are raised is where the account has to be.
You are not American so please do not submit false information. Everyone from the humane society to MADD is audited. So quit making stuff up off the top of your head. Do not believe every "BAD" thing you read and hear, expecially when it comes from the one sided news of yours. Borderline communism is what it is.
Your medias allowance to totally "CRAP" on every other country and put a crown on yours is sickening to the world.
Watch news worldwide in Democratic Nations, most of their news points at the problems within their own country, therefore helping them to see what is wrong within themselves, making it possible to change. Your country only points its fingers at others, the whole time ignoring itself or making excuses for itself, and when that fails they always play the look at you and what you are doing card. PRIDE......and it goith before destruction!
Always pointing your fingers at others and ignoring your own "crap" causes you to fail to do what? Correct the problems and then they grow and grow and grow. Ignoring things to look at others will be your downfall as a borderline communist country with no true freedom of speech and no true freedom of the press.
The Canadian article "canada clubbed over seal hunt". Was blasted by your government and then pulled. What "bull" in saying you are truly democratic. And your news is why the world use to think you were peaceful and kind, now we know different, you do not fight because your government could not protect you with anything but a couple of tugboats and outdated WWII equipment. You have the equipment for peace keeping only. Peace keeping, yeah I hear you, I have never seen anyone take guns to keep peace. Forced peace is what it is, so Canada is just as guily in forcing beliefs.
While yelling the waters in the far North Atlantic Passage are ours, you need to ask yourselves, just how do you propose to protect them? "rangers". (laugh) It is waters that are debated between you and England? However on this issue I think you have your hated countries (America) full support.
How do you expect to protect yourselves in the event of terrorism? Let me guess the Americans will protect you, and you are right, so for once why don't you acknowledge that and tell your media to shut its fat trap. We have more right to contest killing seals than you do Iraq. After all I am sure those close pictures of Canadian flag wearing soldiers are just in the imagination right? The hostages that were rescued, did Canadian soldiers fly there in 30 minutes to help with the rescue? Get A clue, your government is not telling the truth about anything. But again you are peaceful because you have nothing to fight with and you hide what goes on in your country by media gag. All of your equipment is from the UN, for peace keeping. With the exception of one or two commodities. You blast us about Iraq and the whole time surveillance tapes show maple leaf wearing soldiers! I have yet to see any video of Americans killing seals for profit.
You people are so far detached from true reality, instead of the "crap" you are always dishing on everyone else. Why not ask your Government to allow true freedom of press and speech? And not only when it suits you. Being peaceful and remaining peaceful are two very different things, remember that. It is very important you realize that America and Canada are suppose to be friends and you have totally destroyed any chance of that at this point, regardless of what your media says (canada, america relations warming, BULL).
Always posting softwood lumber and court findings on your behalf, through NAFTA, but failing to mention the WTO found in favor of America. Contracts were signed. The WTO is a secondary contract and therefore deletes the importance of the first.
As with any written contract, that can not be changed orally but can be through a new "higher" contract. Again one sided news, you take as the Gospal. It is easier that way, you do not have to apply yourselves to find the truth.
Your media making fun of Americans because they want illegal immigrants. Well let me tell you something, in America we live together, all of us, white, black, yellow, native Americans....it does not matter, we may have disagreements within ourselves even fights, but if anyone has the balls to mess with any one of us, you deal with all of us. Once you are in America, Americans will call you their own, no matter what media says there. Again it is like siblings bickering amongst ourselves, but the bond is there for life!
Canada may have several different cultures, but they all live within each others own, without integrating societies, which makes for disasters eventually. (read your own special reports on this and the worry it is causing within your country). I suggest you look at the whole picture, and then look at yourself the hardest! Because that is where you will get better, work on things that can be changed and for the better, instead of fighting to keep them the same.
Abortion is another issue you bark at us about, even though abortion is legal in my country does not mean the clinics are there to actually receive one, most have closed, thanks to activist, which are Americans from all walks of life, they have fought this for 70 years and are getting very close to GOAL! So do not tell people leave you alone go save babies!
For a long time you were in the back burner wanting to be seen on the world stage, your politicians pushed so the world would finally see you, now they have! All of you, not just this terrible seal hunt. You managed to escape making the world believe something about you that was not so, by sitting in the back row, now that your politicians have jumped to the front, you will be seen believe me, and picked a part, and judged and hated or loved. You get to decide how to let the world perceive you. I just hope your politicians can handle facing the world, it is after all what they wanted. They need a good lesson, they can not lie to the world the way they do you. We see it. The world does. Good luck with your we want to be in the "big" world like the rest of you Canada.
Oh and another thing, your media on our deficit, it has always been paid, but remember it is mostly a defecit to countries for aid, and aid to our own. Borrow from one place like imports to pay for another place (the defecit was borrowed, Canada!). But in the end the truth of it is, America could survive within herself any moment. And who would truly come get it? You need to see if the world was as worried as you about it, then it might be a small concern, the world remembers what we have done as americans for them, too freaken bad you can't. But if we want to cast stones, why have you not given the money promised to Africa for aids? etc....While your at it look at the other side of Iraq, the other side is now flourishing, there was a time when you were calling that hopeless too!
See Charitywatch.com for the goods on HSUS. They have a D minus rating because of the way they use donations.
Have read many writings people claiming tradition, if you knew tradition you would not be arguing it blindly, you would argue this for my peoples if you honestly cared for my peoples.
Aboriginals a long with Inuits have always shared a deep respect for nature. My ancestors (Inuits) with the Aboriginals shared strong spiritual beliefs that it was us who were lead to protect the life within waters. My great grandfather has written to us on the effects of warming where he lives. He said to us, “It is becoming harder and harder to find the right ice for igloos and the melting of the perma frost is turning our land into a world of mud”.
The origins of Aboriginal hunts are similar to ours, for same reasoning, survival. Today is much different world we are live in. The seal need ice to survive as you will know. Ice is becoming problematic, to as soon as five to ten years they may be none or little left for the survival of the seal. What is being done in this day will effect the future of the seal.
Many predators have been erased in the waters that were once flourishing, I am saddened. The predatory seal is very most important because it is one of the last left. I have diary where my ancestors spoke of walking a top the seal for hundreds of miles. Today more than any day is important to realize all water life is becoming at least guarded at most completely erased. We need to guard all we have left and use it very wisely. This is what is best for all. To annihilate many, many seal as never seen before in a time when there are less seal and the very worst ice conditions, is going to be a disaster. We hope that this hunt does not cause affect on seal that can not be corrected, but we believe by past it will.
We are very against the hunt in this number, we are very against the method used, in great numbers such as these, in such short time, will not be humane, can not be humane. The greed of this hunt has stained the very name of my peoples. It has also left us in misery at the waste of a beloved animal that has survived us through the times of the past. We never hunted these numbers, no one has, even when there were millions more and great ice. My people may be afraid to talk, I am not. Fear of Government is natural in our peoples. I am writing to papers because most put us in category with these and call us names.
We are not these people and can never be like these who kill for money. They waste the very animal deserving respect for allowing survival of their peoples. No aboriginals in history would hunt and waste, to claim that is a lie of their peoples also. Allowing men who came later to change tradition for benefits of money, where they are other ways, is to make little of tradition at all. Stop this doing this to tradition of survival and stop this telling world we kill and spill blood in waste. Soon all that will be left of a great tradition and a love for the animals who allowed my peoples a future and aboriginals a future will come to disgrace. It may already have.
Offer of money to stop kill, even if it was for one year was a blessing for peace and allowed the seal to live. You kill only what you have to peoples. To say different of all aboriginals and all my ancestors is to lie on us.
It is these men today, in the wrong world, and by getting in ours has destroyed our respect in world and our own country and the respect of our tradition of survival, for the sake of greed and pride. Any who call to God better is prepared for wrath. He will break you like a stick and swallow you whole. You will be left to wallow in our own grief. People that truly live off land do not use computer to argue seal hunt, these men have computers to argue. If they can have computer they can have other job, even if it means to move like we have.
Tuma
Why is it that there is always some simpleton who has to insult a whole class of people. If you hear something you don't like about the seal hunt you have to jump up an down and shout back that..all Newfies are stupid , all newfies are unemployed, blah , blah....or some other unintelligible comment. Why not try to learn a few big words and join the conversation.
Am I the only one who thinks that some of these long diatribes are planted by H$U$ monitors ?
then maybe your government gets an "F" on the way it uses and steals tax money. Yeah we see the benefits of tax money in your country! I see the HSUS has made more progress with donations than your government has all the way around. And by the way I read the posts before I posted all over this site, I also read your media about Americans and how they "suck". I challange you to find the same in our medias about your country. We do not do it, but we could as I showed you above. So if you want to kill a crap load of seals for money, go for it, but leave America alone where you have no right to preach to us when you kill for money and that was not voted on!. Which is far worse than war against terror at least that seems more noble. Do not forget "we" vote on what to do as Americans, if you are so against Iraq why not let them come to your country, which may be a better place to fight them, EH? Because the terror groups do not just go away, it is a holy war. Better to fight there than your country or ours right? You cast the first stone and you always do. Your media shows more America than Canada. What a laugh. See ya!
I did not read Newfie or stupid in any of the last posts except for your own, so that is such a lie. If that comment was for directed towards the Inuit person or whatever,,,,,,, someone should slap you hard, because then you are a true jerk. Got to go!
The good news is that the person who wrote the last 2 blurbs has to go....probably to night school. There were 2 posts earlier today degrading Newfies/Nflders which was the subject of the earlier post....the last post's comment about slapping a writer only confirms the simpleton theory.
Animal-rights types and people who cook up creatures for a living have forged an unlikely alliance, boycotting Canadian seafood in the name of protecting harp seals.
Among those who have pledged to pass on Canadian seafood until that country's annual seal hunt is banned: former NBA player and restaurateur Mike Riordan, owner of Riordan's Saloon and Restaurant in Annapolis.
He and hundreds of other restaurant owners have teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States. But don't expect them to get cuddly with PETA and switch to vegan menus.
"What's strange here is, all of us make our living off food and seafood and whatnot, and we don't have a problem with the harvesting of animals for nourishment, for a useful purpose," Riordan told me. "But we have a problem with people killing baby seals so people can look good."
For the benefit of those praising the US media coverage, please try to read the following Reuters report from last year's hunt. The reporter was caught writing about her experience at the hunt when she was actually writing from a hotel room in Halifax.
Headline: " Environmental journalism fraudulent: "
From:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15578036.htm
"Writer fabricated Boston Globe story on seal hunt"
15 Apr 2005 22:37:08 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Greg Frost
BOSTON, April 15 (Reuters) - A Boston Globe freelance writer
fabricated large chunks of a story published this week, the newspaper
said on Friday in the latest incident to embarrass the U.S. media.
The Globe, which is owned by The New York Times Co. , said it fired writer Barbara Stewart because of a story that ran on Wednesday about a seal hunt off Newfoundland -- a hunt, it turns out, that had not taken place "
an be trusted about 13 percent of the time.
Ah that boycott stuff has lost its credibility because more and more people are questioning HSUS tactics. The following article is available on animalscam.com and was reportedly extensively by CBC and Global ( video is available on the Global site:
" Seafood 'Boycott' Smells Fishy"
Posted On March 24, 2006
When is a boycott not a boycott? When animal rights zealots at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) organize it. Last night Canada's Global National television network broadcast a nationwide report based on the Center for Consumer Freedom's investigation of HSUS's Canadian seafood "boycott." HSUS has claimed that over 200 American restaurants and fish companies are no longer buying Canadian seafood in protest of that nation's unrelated seal hunt. But among the 87 supposed "boycotters" we contacted, a whopping 78 percent said either that they were selling Canadian seafood, or that they never served it in the first place.
Reporting on the phony boycott, Global National Washington bureau chief Troy Reeb talked to several seafood businesses in our nation's capital. The Willard Intercontinental Hotel, a Washington landmark mentioned prominently as a Canadian seafood boycotter in an HSUS press release this week, told Reeb flatly: "We don't do boycotts." HSUS has since quietly altered its own press release.
Still listed in that press release as boycotters, however, are Washington's Ardeo Restaurant and Legal Sea Foods, both of which (as Global National reported) had Canadian seafood on the menu just yesterday. When confronted with the fact that at least one restaurant on his "boycott" list was a vegetarian establishment that never served fish to begin with, HSUS president Wayne Pacelle conceded: "Well, I'm not sure ... there are certain restaurants that signed up because of their enthusiasm for the campaign." (Click here for the video.)
If enthusiasm -- not actual participation -- is the measure of an animal-rights boycott, HSUS may actually have something here. But just 13 percent of the restaurants and seafood companies that we contacted (from HSUS's list) are putting their menu where Pacelle's mouth is. The next time HSUS weighs in, be it about food, clothing, entertainment, medical research, or conservation, it will be helpful to remember that our experience suggests the group c
Ah that boycott stuff has lost its credibility because more and more people are questioning HSUS tactics. The following article is available on animalscam.com and was reportedly extensively by CBC and Global ( video is available on the Global site:
Posted On March 24, 2006
" Seafood 'Boycott' Smells Fishy"
When is a boycott not a boycott? When animal rights zealots at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) organize it. Last night Canada's Global National television network broadcast a nationwide report based on the Center for Consumer Freedom's investigation of HSUS's Canadian seafood "boycott." HSUS has claimed that over 200 American restaurants and fish companies are no longer buying Canadian seafood in protest of that nation's unrelated seal hunt. But among the 87 supposed "boycotters" we contacted, a whopping 78 percent said either that they were selling Canadian seafood, or that they never served it in the first place.
Reporting on the phony boycott, Global National Washington bureau chief Troy Reeb talked to several seafood businesses in our nation's capital. The Willard Intercontinental Hotel, a Washington landmark mentioned prominently as a Canadian seafood boycotter in an HSUS press release this week, told Reeb flatly: "We don't do boycotts." HSUS has since quietly altered its own press release.
Still listed in that press release as boycotters, however, are Washington's Ardeo Restaurant and Legal Sea Foods, both of which (as Global National reported) had Canadian seafood on the menu just yesterday. When confronted with the fact that at least one restaurant on his "boycott" list was a vegetarian establishment that never served fish to begin with, HSUS president Wayne Pacelle conceded: "Well, I'm not sure ... there are certain restaurants that signed up because of their enthusiasm for the campaign." (Click here for the video.)
If enthusiasm -- not actual participation -- is the measure of an animal-rights boycott, HSUS may actually have something here. But just 13 percent of the restaurants and seafood companies that we contacted (from HSUS's list) are putting their menu where Pacelle's mouth is. The next time HSUS weighs in, be it about food, clothing, entertainment, medical research, or conservation, it will be helpful to remember that our experience suggests the group can be trusted about 13 percent of the time.
For our American friends:
Exercpt from thesealfishery.com
Charles April 07, 2006
Arkansas, USA
I truly enjoyed learning the facts about seal hunting and the struggles of the people of Newfoundland. I have kept up with the hunt here in Arkansas via the news and find it very interesting to get someone's perspective from the inside. The filth and lies that are reported here in the US are usually report by the vocal minority who don't have a clue to what is going on in every day America. It's the people who say they are liberal and care about other but are actually heart set on making this a world where their agendas are crammed down the throats of tax paying citizens (whether it be US or Canadian) who foot their bill for idiotic measures. These people bombarded our news media with Bull Sh*t and the majority of Americans who don't know what a cow looks like believe this crap. I am an avid hunter and outdoors man and view what you guys do as historic, these practices that have been done for generations and generations are getting smaller and smaller by the year but hopefully we can pass our pastimes to our children and grandchildren.
Net revenues in the Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging industry has decreased from $764.0 million in 1994 to $671.1 million in 2003 or by -1.4% per annum on average. In the latest year 2005 the growth rate was -3.3%. Canadian (NAICS 31171) I could go on with alot of other statistics, but you would just say LIE. So I'll just say BLIND! I guess that is why Danny is asking for more federal funding, from those people you are hurting with this slaughter, people like me. But yet you want our tax money for your fishery problem, what a joke you are. Go kill the seal, I guess your employment insurance ran out. That is why businessess there have to hire outside NL right? And you want us tax payers to keep paying you money. I bet you are so proud of yourselves. Ticks me off, giving you my hard earned money. Do not think us tax payers are not getting tired of your crap. So you will have to eat seal cause it will be all you have. Cause you ain't gettin no more of my money that is for sure, people getting sick of supporting you, believe that! I didn't have you, you ain't my responsibility. I am so sick of it, all my life!
Total DDT: <1.0 ppm, (DDT + DDE + DDD), Heavy Metals: <2.0 ppm, Mercury: <0.02 ppm ..... It has mercury and environmental poisons,
No. What this means is that Heavy metals and Mecury and DDT were not detected in the chemical analysis -in the case of mercury the limit of detection is 0.02 ppm. Your drinking water would also come back as <0.02ppm Mecury if analysed by the same method
April 12, 2006 report....published today
Title Canadian Total Exports
Industries NAICS 31171 - Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
Origin CANADA
Destination TOP 10 COUNTRIES
Period Latest 5 years
Units Value in Thousands of Canadian Dollars (which means add 3 zeros to the end of each of these numbers)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
United States (U.S.) 1,951,947 2,061,542 1,963,980 1,856,299 1,664,451
Japan 395,487 540,983 454,761 462,348 421,585
China 108,395 205,484 247,695 284,855 299,377
Denmark 68,244 105,319 104,777 104,830 98,749
United Kingdom (U.K.) 93,171 64,685 87,701 104,868 95,310
France (incl. Monaco, French Antilles) 56,785 56,977 68,602 58,259 56,779
Russia 8,494 3,035 2,190 19,966 39,451
Hong Kong 21,468 25,337 32,181 33,851 37,206
Germany 37,010 22,992 38,480 38,591 26,217
SUB-TOTAL 2,766,252 3,124,624 3,037,207 2,997,062 2,767,300
OTHERS 257,795 319,422 298,408 320,634 349,204
TOTAL (ALL COUNTRIES) 3,024,047 3,444,046 3,335,615 3,317,696 3,116,503
Source of data: Statistics Canada
Report Date: 12-Apr-2006
You have lost 201 million dollars worldwide...go boycott go boycott, there was an increase in between 2001 and 2002 from there it went.....down hill. The most loss was 2004 and 2005. Naaaa it isn't working.
see for yourselves...pay close attention to the countries where we are getting hit the hardest. I tell people everyday, boycott us in every way possible and let OTTAWA know why....the numbers are here. Are you going to argue FACTS in numbers?
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrkti/tdst/tdo/tdo.php?headFootDir=/sc_mrkti/tdst/headfoot&naArea=9999〈=30&searchType=CS&toFromCountry=CDN¤cy=CDN&hSelectedCodes=|31171&period=5&timePeriod=5|Complete+Years&periodString=&productBreakDown=Complete+Years&reportType=TE&productType=NAICS&areaCodeStrg=9999|TOP&runReport_x=37&javaChart_x=&gifChart_x=&outputType=RPT&chartType=columnApp&grouped=GROUPED#tag
wow all countries involved in the boycott down down down....all countries that buy your seal...up a bit, but can not make up for the loss...see ya I am done. So much for the boycott is not working, this is not the first year of boycott, it is the first year everyone is upping their efforts, it hurts worse this year. Even if you stopped now, you have to deal with 2006. The longer this goes the worse it gets...and the longer it takes for everyone to forget. Boycott us everyone and tell Ottawa why.
It is amazing that some people have never heard of quota reductions. If quotas are reduced ,due partly to raping of the stocks by EU , then less packaging is required. The H$U$ should do something useful and try to stop this. At least now I know why HSUS is running ads claiming the " seafood boycott " is costing a zillion dollars. And we now know that a very active and exciteable member of HSUS is on this site and perpetuating this rubbish. Oh my, my, my, now I know how the guy felt when he interviewed Pamela Anderson.
Note to the 10:41 post who tries again to insult all Nflders. Please read the 6:15 post, the guy wrote it for you. His description of you is fitting. You have nothing to worry about; the don't deduct taxes from your student loans.
Looks like desperation is setting in.......
Residents of the Labrador community of Cartwright squared off Wednesday against a group of seal hunt protesters, and kept them from monitoring the first day of the largest part of the East Coast hunt.
Several dozen Cartwright residents kept a helicopter chartered by a German film crew from flying to the hunt on Wednesday, the day that sealers took to the ice off southern Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland.
However, the film crew were able to leave Cartwright Wednesday night.
The confrontation started at an aviation gas bar, when residents mobbed two helicopters with anti-sealing observers aboard.
Other hunt protesters were involved in a dispute with about 50 Cartwright residents earlier in the day, but were able to fly out of the community later.
"I think the people in Cartwright have some concerns [because] there's a lot of people from Cartwright that are out sealing right now," said RCMP Cpl. Mark Hancock.
Hancock said he acted as a mediator between the two groups.
Regina Flores said the IFAW is using high tech video equipment to monitor the seal hunt this year. (CBC)
Sandra Noseworthy said she and other residents did not appreciate hearing what the protesters had to say.
"They say that what we're doing is a massacre and barbaric and everything else," she said.
"But, I mean, this is something that's been taking place in Newfoundland and Labrador for years. And it's really frustrating."
Sandra, yes, it is extremely frustrating..............FOR BOTH SIDES!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!! What are you people trying to hide?????????
Canadian Press
BLANC-SABLON, Que. — Angry supporters of Canada's East Coast seal hunt are making life miserable, and potentially dangerous, for animal rights activists trying to document the hunt off the coast of southern Labrador.
Residents in the Quebec town of Blanc-Sablon, near the Labrador border, have surrounded a small hotel where journalists and members of the Humane Society of the United States are staying.
Rebecca Aldworth, a society spokeswoman, reached inside the hotel Thursday, said the situation was very tense and she was worried about her own safety and the safety of those with her.
Earlier in the day, residents apparently rammed a van carrying European journalists to the airport where they were scheduled to fly out on a helicopter to photograph the hunt, Aldworth said.
"Thankfully, no one was hurt," she said in an interview.
"They were able to get the van back on the road and returned to the hotel. We're now surrounded by an angry mob. The people outside are intent on preventing us from leaving and our helicopters from leaving."
you are wrong about the test, I received a formal letter from Dr. Ho myself, after seeing this blog today I wrote to him. He states while there are environmental poisons, little will not hurt in food sources, which is the only way omega can be utilized by the body. He also states that they are trying to rectify the chemical traces. (not only mercury) Why was Dr. Ho's response not, "Oh do not worry it is in your water," then?
I have my water tested and that is a lie. I am on well water.
And people quit trying to blame others for the collapse of the fisheries, will you? It was the DFO.
The government’s involvement in the fishery is best explained by a statement made by Sinclair (1992), “Since 1977, the Government of Canada has been the manager of the fisheries. Instead of fish being a resource available to anyone with the means to catch them [i.e. a commons], they became state property, the rights to which were delegated in the management plans. Therefore, the management policy of the Canadian state has become a major factor in the condition of the industry since this time” (p. 93). The Federal government, through the DFO, controlled the number of fishermen through licensing systems, set quotas for different types of vessels, and, acting upon information from its own scientists, set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the industry each year (McGraw, 1996; Palmer & Sinclair, 1997). So quite obviously, a lot of the blame for the overfishing has to be placed there, as the DFO told the fishermen what they could go out and get. Acting upon faulty data (an issue discussed later), the DFO licensed too many fishermen and set TAC’s that were too high.
http://egj.lib.uidaho.edu/egj17/mason1.html
there are other resources.
What else is new, they always set TAC's too high,
at least then they were listening to scientist.
Today they only listen to politicians.
Say good-bye seal, and do not expect to say hello fish,
they are not going to replenish themselves,
while you are still following the same DFO and believing
their lies, or stupidity, one of the two. Who knows anymore?
When it is all over the DFO will just have to admit
WRONG, once again. It still will not bring back all the
wildlife that has been destroyed.
It is about time someone realized ridding themselves of seal
will not replenish the fish, it has not worked in this amount of time
it never will. Maybe you should try something else?
First off I am American and was as detached from this issue as any one person could be.
This year has been quite a different story. I own and run a seafood buffet in Nashville, Tenn.
I was approached at the beginning of March by a person involved with the boycott of
Canadian seafood. The truth is I get very little seafood from Canada, but what I did get does
come from Newfoundland.
I debated this issue with myself and decided that I would in fact join the boycott.
Reasons are not to hurt the already dead or dying fishing industry. It is to make a statement
to the Canadian government that this sort of hunt method, with failures to enforce laws
has got to stop.
I have seen what animal rights organizations have done to help better the treatment of
animals in the world as a whole. This is another reason. The money that these organizations receive
are o.k. with me. If they want to pay themselves for the jobs they do, that most of us would not even
embark upon. That is o.k. with me also. If indeed they make 250,000 dollars a year to deal with what
they deal with, then they are under paid. This has not really been proven or if it has, it is still
o.k with me.
I have been reading everything in the last three weeks. My question has to be, how does stopping animal
rights groups with politicians from other countries Europe, etc. help to make a positive statement?
Why not address the #1 problem the animal rights groups have, the hunt takes place in such a short
period and the numbers are so high that it is hard to make sure it is humane.
Could the people in charge not apply income with hunt numbers? Instead of it being basically a free for all
until quota is met. I mean some of the people hunting need more income correct? Could they not place each hunter
with an individual quota as with most hunting of wild game? Would this not help eleviate some of the problems the
hunt is getting a bad name for? It would surely solve the problem of quotas not being met. Also if the hunters lose
a seal to the water should it not also be counted?
I am not against the hunt completely, but I am against the way it is regulated. The fact is as seen above
people do not trust the DFO, would it not be better to allow another group to manage and regulate the hunt?
The main question has to be, reacting in the way everyone is towards the groups and politicians could only leave
a negative question about the hunt and the truth behind it, correct?
I will say, I do not like the gun use at all, it seems more likely they would not die instantly as the shooter could
miss target about 85% times higher because of the distance, correct? As with deer, sometimes they run after being shot,
of course seal do not run and can not.
Another question. If it is for meat and pelt, why not older seal? It is safe to conclude that there would be
more meat on the larger mammals correct? We have to be honest and state it is the pelt of the young seals that have a market.
The meat does not even begin to equate in this hunt. It is the flippers and fat taken and the meat is then left.
What will you do with yourselves when hunts of this size and the effects of global warming send the seal into the same
catagory with the cod? I understand the frustration with the sealers, they feel these people are taking their livelyhood
and in a way they are. The whole story is this, why should you have the right to completely destroy a predator species needed
for the survival and the strengthening of a teetering eco system, that will eventually find its way around the globe, with adverse
affects who knows how big? In this day no one has the right to help destroy something that everyone else might suffer from. That
was the old way of things. Should your government and others not be trying to find other employment for you? Or should they wait
until the seal like the fish have gone the same route? What will come next for the fishermen-seal hunters?
Please forgive me of us if we don't believe you own a restaurant. It's just that we've seen so much misleading campaigning by HSUS. The Global report found that only 13% of the claims regarding the restaurant boycott were true. Maybe you are sincere so why be anonymous. What's the point of boycotting if you don't tell anyone who is boycotting. . HSUS has published all the names ( and More ) so why not help the cause by telling everyone your name and contact information so supporters can let you know. Otherwise people will think you're just another HSUS plant.
No, forgive me, for intruding. I do not want to be harassed by anyone.
I do not have time to answer the phone and e-mails.
I see the way people are treated by consumer freedom rights groups
in my country. Everyone knows they have been employed by Barry corp. for
some time now which has an interest in the pelt processing. You can not be
in business in my country and not know everything about this group. If you do
not know then you need to worry, it is best to keep on the up side of present
situations.
The next thing I will see is publishings of how I am being
negligent to the rights of consumers. Well If selling something that goes
against my moral beliefs is infringement of consumer rights, then so be it.
I have also seen the news the past few days. I do not need the trouble.
It is best to stay away from the hassle they give to people like me.
I simply asked a few questions, and was meaning no harm towards anyone
but if it takes giving you my personal information do not bother answering.
I did not ask for any personal information myself only
information regarding this issue.
I have written a letter to your prime minister and to
the green party showing my support. They have my business ID
and telephone number.
I do know, the list that I signed in regards to the boycott, was a list
similiar to a fund raising catalogue, where you pledge money. Instead we pledged our
honest intent to comply to the boyott.I can say without a doubt there were 345
restaurants by name on this particular list, with owner/manager signatures.
If there are other list I do not know. I was number 346 to sign. I simply googled
Newfoundland, boycott, seafood and this article was down on the list. So, I thought
why not, just ask them.
You can either believe it or not. I do not work for any organization.
Never have. I was simply asking questions because I wanted to know.
Thanks anyway, for your help.
BTW: Did you think of this, why would I have written what I did if I was a
member of some group? For one I do not believe that to shoot the seals would be in
their best interest for a humane kill. I guess everyone is a bit nervous. Remember
at times people just want to get questions answered. Good-luck to you.
I totally agree with the 12:01 writer who states this is frustrating FOR BOTH SIDES. How true. There is a protest in Labrador today and there is a rush to get one side or the other's story to the public first. Both sides are at fault. There has been a rush on this site to publish one side of the story. On the other hand , here is another report on the story:
" Hunt supporter hit by van, politician alleges "
Yvonne Jones – who represents the southern Labrador district of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature – said the activists were neither threatened nor harmed.
However, she said one hunt supporter was nearly killed.
"These individuals who decided to take a van and go to the airport actually plowed through a group of the protestors to get out of there," said Jones, who flew to Blanc-Sablon to lend her support to sealers and their families.
"One young fellow, whom I actually talked to myself, ended up on the hood of this vehicle and was driven on the hood of the vehicle for several kilometres before the animal-rights activists stopped to let him off."
Some residents of Blanc-Sablon felt the activists were not welcome.
"If somebody [takes] one bad shot, that's the picture you're going to see over the TV for years," said fisherman Jean Richard Joncas....
Of course, the next blog will say that all politicians/media/Canadians are in this together , blah , blah .....this is frustrating for both sides.
The truth will have to come out when the video is shown, in the van were journalist, they are always filming. If he jumped in front to try to stop them from leaving, or if they ran through the crowd and hit him to leave. I guess that is the only way to see the real truth.
Not on anyones side, but honestly who does everyone think the world believes? That will be the determining factor here and the weight it will carry.
Everyone must admit, it is a bit out of hand and getting scary for everyone.
A helicopter, chartered by the Humane Society of the United States, which was also carrying several international journalists and politicians, was unable to leave the community Thursday as pro-sealing demonstrators surrounded a Blanc-Sablon hotel.
Do not forget the international politicians present.
Why are these irrational people allowed to harrass the peaceful protestors? I have not heard one word of the "ARA's" being combative or shouting at sealers. And that is from reading the web - not the HSUS website. Yet the pro-sealer "activist" are jumping on cars, and impeding on people's right to travel about. This is a complete embarressment for your cause. The world knows what you are all about. That is why you are so angry. The dirty little secret is getting out. This year more than ever. Your people are acting desperate.
Dear restaurant owner: it's hard to believe anything related to HSUS anymore. Surely you have heard about the investigative report that found only 13% of the boycotters on that list were legitimate ? Does this concern you.? Recently , HSUS organized a letter writing campaign from " tourists " to various businesses in Nfld . The media is following up on these " tourists " and are one by one finding they are primarily a group of vegans that are members/clients/employees of HSUS. Another example is the " media" traveling with HSUS today to the seal hunt. On a local radio show today ( VOCM ) it was revealed that these are freelancers who work for HSUS , report for HSUS and whose expenses and salaries are paid by HSUS. Finally , another wave of media blitz is focused on saying that Omega is unhealthy and is toxic which runs contrary to facts and common sense ( one guy on this site claims he spoke to the original producer , Dr. Ho , who now confirms this !!
It's just so hard to listen to these wingnuts anymore. At the same time there are some legitimate groups who keep the Government and sealers in check and have brought about tremendous improvements to the seal hunt. This must continue to ensure the hunt continues to be sustainable for future generations.
Keep an open mind , whoever you are and if you really did refuse to give a donation to HSUS - good for you. Give to WWF or a children's charity instead.
Anon...your statement....
( one guy on this site claims he spoke to the original producer , Dr. Ho , who now confirms this !!
I read it, it states....
you are wrong about the test, I received a formal letter from Dr. Ho myself, after seeing this blog today I wrote to him.
E-mail...can you not read? Are you sure you are not the one who seems to be mixed up a bit, or mixing words to suit you? I have noticeed on this blog you pro- sealers seem to do that an awful lot along with trying to detour the blame, you say "NO do not look at me, I will scare you, look at yourself". It is not healthy, you do know that right?
Anon:
Your comment about the International Politicians, they forgot. They were European and they were there in an attempt by the HSUS to get EU bans.
Do you think this helped the sealers or the HSUS?
First the world sees dead baby seal skinned of pelt, the rest left on the ice to rot, then they hear this and everything leading up to this.
I know who I would believe. :) :) I am sure the world will feel the same way. Way to go, this is great advertising!!!
CBC reprted on the pro sealer side.
Reuters reports other story....the world copies reuters, the most trusted name in news.
Again, tell me why the world does not listen to CBC?
Answer: one sided news, this time the wrong side.
by the way did you not arrest a reuters journalist?
oooops bad move, I would say, again reuters,
most trusted name in world news.
Re: Reuters
Please read the Reuters report posted 9;46 on April 12th. The Reuters article reveals that an American journalist was caught fabricating a story on the seal hunt and fired by the Boston Globe. Now what's your excuse.
See , it works both ways.
Can someome translate that 9:55 blog ?
Exactly as I said, you can count on reuters to bring you the truth....:) point proven. Reuters was not the one who fabricated the article.
Boston Globe ex-journalist was. So who will the world believe again, reuters? CBC? I am still trying to figure out what was your point there? Was it to say a reporter from the Boston Globe fabricated a story? I knew that. Reuters only outed it. That Boston Globe story was written in March by a Boston Globe journalist, not a reuters journalist. If you read the story she did not say anything bad in it, really she was honestly just writing it as she did the year beofore, like it had already started. BUT NO I do not agree with it! Do you think reuters is going to tell your side the way CBC told it next week? Reuters journalist were there in the van!!!!!! Reuters are reporters from all over the world remember? JEEZ!
I understood the 9:55 blog: It was easy...
Someone named anon 1, wrote:
( one guy on this site claims he spoke to the original producer , Dr. Ho , who now confirms this !!
It's just so hard to listen to these wingnuts anymore.
And then another anon 2 wrote in reply:
I read it, it states....(what this person said was that he/she read the comment and it did not say the person had talked to Dr. Ho)
you are wrong about the test, I received a formal letter from Dr. Ho myself, after seeing this blog today I wrote to him. (this was what he/she actually said not talked to wrote)
And then anon 2 said:
E-mail...can you not read? Are you sure you are not the one who seems to be mixed up a bit, or mixing words to suit you? I have noticeed on this blog you pro- sealers seem to do that an awful lot along with trying to detour the blame, you say "NO do not look at me, I will scare you, look at yourself". It is not healthy, you do know that right?
and the rest of it was as explainatory. zzzzzzzzzzz
WOW be proud you made forbes online...http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/04/14/ap2670618.html
Front page, home page, all the worlds business leaders read you first thing this AM. Most could only dream of making it this big...:)
Is that you Pamela :)
The point of the earlier "Reuters " post is that SOME articles ( yes, even American ) are fabricated. The Reuters article just highlighted one such journalist. Why do people sometimes fabricate stories ? For the same reason HSUS fabricated/exagerated SOME ( not all ) of the boycott information. The same reason as Deb Osarko in BC and a group of her associates pretended to be tourists and orchestrated a hate mail campaign to Nfld businesses. ( She is a HSUS consultant and has since gone into hiding and closed her web site to avoid the media who have uncovered her ). The same reason HSUS used the removal of the seal oil capsules ( yes , low sales ) and twisted the truth to make it look like Costco supported the seal hunt. ( one of the Costco executives may be losing his job because of his singular antics - yes , there may be one animal rights extremist at Costco). This is big money and greedy people have infiltrated many animal rights groups. It's not just HSUS. The Sea Shephard Society wrote the book on maximizing revenues at any cost. Google will show you a dozen examples but my favorite occurred just after the Good Shephard ( Paul Watson ) was ejected from Greenpeace and started up SSC. He said he would focus on seals because there was no money in dolphins ! Google Paul Watson and read his comments if you want to understand why he draws ire in eastern Canada ( and is rich beyond comprehension - check out his daily rate these days )
Most discussion is harmless but animal activists who claim some sealers may have to die ( Dr. V ) or some of those who believe animals are equal to humans are dangerous.
I'll leave this question for debate: how many of these animal rights types agree with abortion ? Think about it ! My fear is that some of these zealots clearly put animal life before human life and that's a lunatical fringe the authorities have to watch.
Well Patriot , the seal hunt ends today and that's it for another year. HSUS will far exceed last year's revenue of $95 million which explains why clones are coming out of the woodwork. In a perverse kind of way , HSUS needs the seal hunt ( now there's a conspiracy story for someone to swallow - maybe the guy who believes we are injecting swine and chicken with seal oil capsules :).
At the same time , the prices paid to sealers have soared ( $100 for one pelt ! ) plus meat and flippers ( yes, they need to develop more meat markets which is progressing ).
The seal protest has been ongoing for appx. 38 years and there's not much else to hear or say when you've been around for all 38 years. It does get perturbing to here hicks insult all Nflders , including the 95% that have nothing to do with the hunt, but as a wise man once said " forgive them Lord for they know not what they do ". I suspect he'll have one last babble after this blurb.
Take care
B. Read
Why did you stop slaughtering the white coats? Did you decide to do that on your own? Or was it public pressure from the outside world, perhaps? I would wager to guess that it was outside pressure. It took years to get that accomplished. It may take many more years to come, but I believe your hunt will be stopped. You are a small lot of people, up against the rest of the world. I don't think you stand a chance in the end, but please, by all means, enjoy it while it lasts ;)
The point is...IT WAS NOT REUTERS that fabricated the story. The post was pointing out how much reuters is trusted. For the issues that happened yesterday, that was what was being discussed right?
ANON, your statement,::::
Most discussion is harmless but animal activists who claim some sealers may have to die ( Dr. V ) or some of those who believe animals are equal to humans are dangerou
ANSWER:::
What a crock, he said that it would be ok to protect the seals by taking sealers life. As it would to protect any innocent life. Was this about Dr. V? Or reuters journalist arrested last Month and in a hotel and van this month a long with other journalist and politicians from the International community?
The fact is this fight has been going on for almost 40 years, it stopped for the most part in between the 80's and 2000...WHY? because EU bans and public pressure. Then you upped the kill quota again to tremendous irresponsible numbers, never taking environment issues, global warming into effect. Just kill for profit. Then the public outcry and uproar began again. Mainly the last three years because of the hunt numbers and cruelty. You use the 2002 report while conveniently forgetting the 2001 report that says 48% did not have wounds suffecient to kill the animal. Also you supliment a portion of the 2002 report with a new IVWG report of 2005 that does NOT say this hunt is humane.
As far as you NFLders that have nothing to do with the hunt getting the "BLAST" for it, most that have nothing to do with the hunt ....fight like they do. They also curse and yell at everyone so BOTH are guilty of that. By the way "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do" was Jesus.
If you are going to mis quote scripture you may read animal rights in the old testament. I came not to abolish the law, but to fufill it, again Jesus. Read Job and the way God speaks of his animals, you are so smart. Oh yes those who kill for anything but food will have something to say to him about it. Read leviticus 11 through 12 it will explain which animals we are to eat and those we are not. The reason today is not the sin of it, but the health of it and the health of the worlds ecosystem he gave us. (look at pork how unhealthy it is, look at our eco system because we did not listen) Whether you believe in scripture or not, even scientist agree it is the perfect recipe for a long sucessful life and world. For many thousands of years people thought the Jewish and the Arab were witches because they stayed so healthy, they just simply followed the laws of moses, and I do not mean just the commandments. Why not? You brought Jesus into it.
. Here are but a few of the highlights from this report:
1.) "Because of its remoteness and difficult environmental conditions it (the slaughter) is generally considered not to be well observed or monitored"
Comment: The DFO claims the slaughter is humane yet without effective monitoring there is no way to prove this is so. In fact left to their own devices sealers (who believe seals are nothing more than a species of fish as noted in the IVWG report) will act with haste to ensure the maximum number of seals killed regardless of whether or not they are doing so in a humane manner.
2.) "The Group (IVWG) further notes that there many be an element of conflict of interest in the DFO being both an advocate for the seal hunt and its regulator."
Comment: The DFO is the same organization that back in the 80's mismanaged the slaughter and attempted to cover up their incompetence. Later on even they admitted the slaughter was inherently cruel. In allowing the DFO to be in charge of the slaughter just as before is to invite disaster, this organization simply cannot be trusted, the comment above proves this and for as long as they remain in charge the seal slaughter will remain as it is, cruel beyond comprehension.
3.) Sealers do not understand the corneal reflex or blink test and are not utilizing it.
4.) Sealers are not manually palpitating the seal's skull following a hakapik blow to
ensure the animal is dead.
Comment: The sealers have no wish to follow the recommendation of any outside organization. In fact historically they have reacted violently to any advice offered. In the report it state the "Sealers have asked for the groups help to make the hunt as humane as possible" this was most certainly pressed on them by the DFO due in part to the rising resistance to the slaughter. In fact I believe the DFO orchestrated this report only for the result to backfire on them (they most probably thought they could control the IVWG) Please do not forget that 3 years have past without any of the recommendations presented by the (pro DFO) Canadian Veterinary Organization being adopted. The IVWG report of 2005 is proof positive of this.
5.) "The season is too short resulting in increased competitiveness and reduced caution
and adherence to procedures."
Comment: Sealers are paid for seals killed not for being humane. Add a complete lack of monitoring on the part of the DFO and again you have a recipe for disaster.
6.) "International Fund for Animal Welfare videos also show numerous examples of
striking with a hakapik (i.e. seals being clubbed) that are not followed by
checking either by palpation of the skull or observation of absence of corneal
reflex."
Comment: "Numerous examples" equates to numerous seals being skinned alive.
7.) "No Seals should be shot in the water."
Comment: Many Seals are shot in the water (the reason why this comment was made by the IVWG) only to slip under the ice. Many of these seals will die a slow agonizing death; furthermore they will not be counted as part of the final quota.
8.) "The Canadian Harp Seal has the potential to be a humane hunt."
Comment: This statement was made simply because the IVWG is a pro DFO organization with 2 of its main authors directly benefiting from an ongoing association with the DFO, they had to make this comment or else... Make no mistake though, after decades of evidence of abhorrent cruelty this slaughter can never be humane. Furthermore the burning question is if the hunt has the potential to be humane just what has it been for all these the years past?
In all there are 27 pages worth of issues being raised that paint a very poor picture in regards to how the DFO regulates and monitors this slaughter. If you read between the lines there is also a considerable amount of evidence both direct and indirect that supports the fact that this slaughter is not humane.
Throughout this report the reader is left with one burning question; if this slaughter is so well regulated and humane why then are there so many recommendations being made by the very veterinarians the DFO claims endorses the slaughter in its current form?
Gathering evidence to shut it down takes time, when is a prrof a proof? When it is a good proof, because it is then proven. The bans from the 80's till recent years killed the industry. Now here it goes again. But to say for 38 years the fight has been as with the 80' and now is to not tell the whole truth and you know it.
Here is what Dr. Crook has to say:
I have personally spoken several times with Dr. Alice Crook, co-author of the 2002 report on the seal slaughter (Canadian Veterinary Association - CVA -Special Report vol. 43, 2002), the one that states 98% of the seals are killed in a humane manner . Dr. Crook stated she knows full well how the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Canada have used her 2002 report as a blatant piece of propaganda. During an earlier phone conversation in 2003 she told me she was not happy that the DFO were using this report, she also stated that in no way does this report endorse the hunt (read: slaughter). Dr. Crook went on to say she is aware that the vast majority of sealers are not following the reports recommended procedures (blink test and cranium palpation) to ensure the seal is actually dead before it is skinned (proving the slaughter is not humane). She also said that the sealers have resisted the recommendations the CVA presented them with and are going about things as business as usual. In short the lunatics are running the asylum.
I spoke with Dr. Crook again in early September of 2005, she informed me that the CVA's 2002 special report vol. 43 has been updated with a new report that is the result of a new collaboration of veterinarians calling themselves the Independent Veterinary Work Group (IVWG - August, 2005 www.ivwg.org). Dr. Crook went on to say that one of the main reasons for the new IVWG report was because the sealers have not been following the recommendations presented to them in 2002 and because the slaughter is not being regulated, monitored and enforced in an acceptable manner.
Steve Thompson
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Another thing, since you like to mis quote Jesus maybe you should actually read what he said about anger without sin, and how abhorrance brings a humble man to anger. Only the humble shall know the truth. So humble men can get angry. Men with pride, seek their own destruction. Pride goith before destruction. Keep reading I suggest.
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_060413_2.html
I know you do not like Watson. These Norweigens need a bit of kick in the Butt.
Anon,
They do not care what the Norweigens do,
this is the #1 trade partner in seal pelt.
The world has put them into the same catagory
with these Norweigens. Read parliament
debates on this. It will stop though
the world realizes we have to protect
our wildlife if we want to survive.
Someone brought scripture into this.
What was done in genesis will be reversed
in Revelation.
The animals were created first so it is natural to assume
and through the readings of Revelation and the judgements
they will all die first.The tower of Babel has been undone,
we now all speak the same language, or language is of no
barrier.
(I just commented on this because others did)
Is it nice to have such an image in the world scene
all of a sudden? Especially affter all of the, we are
peaceful people statements and attitudes.
Yep we see it now. All over the world.
Keep getting cozy with Norway, you are going to need each other very much in the future, if you keep this up.
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=29325
Remember the world does realize when it becomes easy
to kill the smallest of these for profit and waste,
the person capable of it, is capable of anything.
Seal hunter Marius Lavalee confirmed there was an ugly confrontation.
"We wanted to try and stop them," he said. "Then it got violent. They tried to run one guy over."
So much for trying to figure out who is to blame.
Do people think before they speak?
In free countries no one has the right to stop anyone from moving about and conducting a legal activity. In free countries this is kidnapping, by holding one against their will. I see in Canada it is ok though. What a joke for a free country.
It looks like the guy jumped in front of the vehicle trying to prevent them from leaving, taking all statements into account, they were similiar to the one above. We were trying to stop them but they tried to run over one of us...this is your story The other story is they tried to stop us and jumped in front of our vehicle and on the hood. Which is also illegal. I think the second story is true, based on both stories. Common sense dictates this.
Anon 11:59 am The same reason as Deb Osarko in BC and a group of her associates pretended to be tourists and orchestrated a hate mail campaign to Nfld businesses. ( She is a HSUS consultant and has since gone into hiding and closed her web site to avoid the media who have uncovered her ).
comment from me,
Deb Orzarko never claimed to be a tourist, she is a business owner and claimed she would not back the B&B business in NL as long as this hunt continued. Meaning she would do her best to make sure business was scarce. If she is a HSUS consultant, fine, she is also a business owner, and if she is a consultant she is in a great position both in her business and in her charity work to help with a tourism boycott. She has closed her site because of the hate mail she has received from sealers and their families (and these were threatening, hers was not, unless you think she can conjure up the next natural disaster?). Want the new link?
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you believe the distorted truths you tell on this site ALL the time. Is it because 1) you really see things this way? 2) Is it that you manipulate it to suit the way you want everyone else to see it?
I vote 2, CLUE: we just still do not see it your way, no matter how you manipulate it.
So everyone is lying about NFLders threatening them right? Martin Sheen, reporters, politicians from the international community, reuters. etc.....
I will not mention all of the ARA groups with audio proof, you just do not like hearing about them. Everyone lies about how violent you are, right?
We have alot of proof that says otherwise, audio and video.
Stop twisting the facts to put a shield over your blind eyes.
Gory seal hunt footage
to arrive shortly!
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=589342
Emails post and boycotts
will
continue long after the
slaughter is over.
No peace for the wicked!
http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2006-04-14_11416808.html
Can anyone guess what this will mean for the industry
and the international law on sealing? (hint: WTO trade
regulations, majority rules.)It will go the way of the
whales. I have to ask,"will you kill them for the heck
of it like the Norweigens"? Surely you would not?? After
the laws are passed to ban all seal imports, the world
can take every action to stop it. Which includes sanctions.
Oh no, that can not be true they are just animals.
Well the world sees it differently than you and that is
apparent. We are now forced to do something about irresponsible
eco system management, for the good of all.
HEY anon, so much for your deb o and the B&B being bull and hogwash....here is the latest on that,
she did what she needed, she got people to talk about it. And Deb, she is a business owner. So your
NON FACT that Deb pretended to be a business owner is exactly that, a NON FACT!
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1144965013155&call_pageid=970599119419
Sandra Noseworthy said she and other Cartwright residents did not appreciate hearing what the protesters had to say.
"They say that what we're doing is a massacre and barbaric and everything else," she said.
"But, I mean, this is something that's been taking place in Newfoundland and Labrador for years. And it's really frustrating."- CBC
Has anyone realized that Sandra Noseworthy just admitted this barbaric massacre has been going on in NL for years?
Then by all means, go ahead that is a good reason to continue doing it. Also, maybe everyone should just stay away from the media, correct?
This is worse than the comments "This is a well regulated and managed hunt"
Then some guy states "We go over quota because there are so many ships and in such a wide area it is hard to regulate."
SHEEEEEESH! Try not to think for a moment we are not taking all of this down for future use.
This is one real weird place.
the guys who are pro or gals whichever, say stuff like one person believes we are injecting swine with seal oil capsules. I have got to laugh like hell on this one. The guy who stated that swine are being injected by seal oil here, you been paying attention and connecting the dots. The pro guys
change the words around that other posters have written and say it reads like it does not. It never said seal oil capsules, but indeed did say seal oil omega.
I hope you learn to take up for your cause a lot better than you have been. The news is traveling. I heard tax payers are in the air spinning about you people and having to pay pogey for you all the time. This killing of seal gets you through the other 6 months.
I have read about all of this here. You look like fools. Why not try and read what people write and stop switching words around that is not what the people wrote. It is all over here for you pro guys. Oh tell that young lady, it is not good to admit to being a barbarian to the world. We are praying you finally get what ever it is you deserve, so we will see.
Someone brought into it scripture, read Genises 9, it clearly says I give to you for food, not fashion, so the guy that said forgive them and all that. You are the one that will need forgiven even if you are not a seal hunter, which really is just a nice way to say baby seal killer. See you take up for it, which allows it. So think about that.
Looks like some of the PEI seal hunters are ready for some additional options for future employment? They are "locking-in", which is something you Newfies might want to consider.....thinks don't look too good for a promising seal-hunter future. Seal Hunters - do your families a favor - send your kids to college. Enough with the dying "tradition".........
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