“We have ample evidence that the three-step process to ensure humane killing is not being followed.  Neither the test for unconsciousness, nor bleeding out to ensure death, is being conducted” said Sheryl Fink, Director of IFAW’s Seal Program, “As a consequence, we filmed the horror of a live seal pup being sliced down the belly while likely still conscious, and tossed ruthlessly in the bottom of a boat.

IFAW questions why promises of federal support for Canada’s commercial seal hunt continue to increase, when cuts of $84.7 million to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and $31.9 million to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are being proposed by the Conservatives.

IFAW is on the East Coast to document the commercial seal hunt and has found almost no ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and consequently very few seals. According to Environment Canada data, ice coverage has been below normal for the past 17 years, with 2010 and 2011 being two of the worst on record. 

Twenty five participants, including the park conservation officer and his three assistants, are being trained by two French instructors from the APB (Association for the Protection of the Biosphere) experts in anti-poaching strategy as part of an agreement between IFAW and the Ministry of Sustainable Development of Forest Economy and Environment of Congo.

”The sealing industry last week admitted there is still a long way to go to promote seal meat in China,” said Sheryl Fink, Director of IFAW’s Seal Program, ”but Canadian politicians have been promising that China will save the dying sealing industry since at least 1993, so this seems like a bit of a pipe dream. The Chinese -- and the majority of Canadians – haven’t ever consumed seal products, it’s not part of their diet.”