On March 29th, the hakapics will fly

[flvegan]

320,000 is the number of harp seals due to be culled in this season's hunt. Clubbed and shot, with many skinned alive, these animals have little chance against their big, brave "hunters" and their weapons.

More here:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0327-05.htm

http://www.seashepherd.org/seals/seals.html

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/protect_seals/

http://www.ifaw.org

BTW, a hakapic is a club with a spike driven through it, used (in an attempt) to kill the seal without damaging much of the pelt.

[ohioliberal]

1. This is so sad!!

I think we should hakapic the hunters.;(

[rkc3]

2. I'll apologize in advance, don't read if you might be offended.

Can't remember the comedian who said this - If God didn't want us to club baby seals, he'd made them run faster.

It was probably Jerry Falwell.

The jokes aside, no animal should be killed in such a manner.

[jojo54]

3. Oh yes, let's not forget

that we must put aside our personal feelings about these defenseless animals (or are they mammals?) just so that the Repukes can buy the latest, greatest style for their lovers, favorite lobbyist, richest corporate friend, etc. The animal rights activists are one of the groups that the chimp would love to grind into the ground, with his cowlboah stompers on, of course.

[flvegan]

4. Chimpy would get 2 for the price of 1

as most animal rights folks are liberals (at least, every single one I know of).

[Maru Kitteh]

44. The only exception I can think of to that rule is Matthew Scully

former speechwriter for dubya and author of Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy

[AFSCME girl]

6. Grrrrrrrr....

I won't say what I'd really like to say about *, lest the Secret Service come and take me away........:mad:

[AFSCME girl]

5. Thank you for posting this...

flvegan..I hope folks will take a long, hard look at this picture. I will never be able to understand the mindset of any hunter ~ especially these "hunters". :argh:

[SammyWinstonJack]

54. I don't understand how any "Human" could do something like this.

This makes me sick just to imagine it, I could never participate in such any ugly vicious act.

[livinginphotographs]

7. Kick.

Only widespread public outrage will cause enough financial trouble for these cretins to stop doing this.

[Sewsojm]

8. "Kick"

How people who do this live with themselves is beyond me!!

[newyawker99]

21. Hi Sewsojm!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[blindpig]

9. no good reason

fucking luxury trade. No necessity here, this is strictly Fashion. As for those with the blood on their hands & boots, let them find work with less karmic baggage or cut them a half time check. Subsistance hunting is one thing, this is ugly, wanton, unnecessary.

In this case I would applaude those Peta People for doing the blood number on wearers of these pelts.

[livinginphotographs]

10. All fur is "luxury."

And all of it is needless, barbaric cruelty.

I've seen the infamous PETA video of raccoon dogs in China being skinned alive, and can barely imagine how torturous that must be for the animal to go through.

While I acknowledge that most people consider a totally meat-free diet extreme, I have no tolerance for those that wear fur. None. People who wear fur are as guilty of this as the ones that actually wield the pick-ax, and to me they are nothing short of disgusting, vile, pigs (no offense to the pigs).

[blindpig]

15. the fur trade is unnecessary and barbaric

but if we can't put an end to it entirely I would at least restrict it to captive bred, horrid as that is. Wild populations have more than enough problems without this needlessness. As you can see my primary motivation is conservation.

Your diet is your business. I am a carnivore and a patron of carnivores(I keep snakes) but have respect for a number of arguments for your decision.
Peace

[AFSCME girl]

11. I have another comment to make on...

this pic ~ I wish that seal momma would bite that guy right in the kneecap!! ARGHHHH!!

I think I'm gonna stay in bed tomorrow (3/29) with the covers over my head! :cry:

[livinginphotographs]

12. Kick and a link.

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/protect_seals/designers_who_use_seal_fur.html
Designers Who Use Seal Fur

[AFSCME girl]

13. Great article, livinginphotographs...

thank you very much! I think I have some letters to write...(before I hide under the covers!) ;-) :hide:

[Zhade]

14. Man, humanity is racking up a boatload of bad karma.

NT!

[Minstrel Boy]

16. "seal hunt, myths and realities" from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

I know this will be an unpopular position, but here's a little balance, against the Tyranny of the Cute.


Myth #1: The Canadian government allows sealers to kill adorable little white seals.

Reality: The image of the whitecoat harp seal is used prominently by seal hunt opponents. This image gives the false impression that vulnerable seal pups are targeted by sealers during the commercial hunt.

The hunting of harp seal pups (whitecoats) and hooded seal pups (bluebacks) is illegal - and has been since 1987. Marine Mammal Regulations prohibit the trade, sale or barter of the fur of these pups. Furthermore, seals cannot be harvested when they are in breeding or birthing grounds.


Myth #2: Seals are being skinned alive.
Reality: The most recent Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Report and numerous reports mentioned by the Malouf Commission (1987) indicate that this is not true.

Sometimes a seal may appear to be moving after it has been killed; however seals have a swimming reflex that is active - even after death. This reflex falsely appears as though the animal is still alive when it is clearly dead - similar to the reflex in chickens.

Myth #6: The club - or hakapik - is a barbaric tool that has no place in today's world.
Reality: Clubs have been used by sealers since the onset of the hunt hundreds of years ago. Hakapiks originated with Norwegian sealers who found it very effective. Over the years, studies conducted by the various veterinary experts, and American studies carried out between 1969 and 1972 on the Pribilof Islands hunt (Alaska) have consistently proven that the club or hakapik is an efficient tool designed to kill the animal quickly and humanely. A recent report in September, 2002, by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, had results that parallel these findings.

Myth #12: The seal hunt is not worth it - seals are only taken for their fur and the rest of the animal is wasted.
Reality: Seals have been harvested for food, fuel and shelter and other products for hundreds of years. The subsistence hunt is a valuable link to Canadian cultural heritage. Canada exports seal products in three forms: pelts, oil and meat. Traditionally, the pelts have been the main commodity, but production of seal oil for human consumption has grown substantially in recent years. Seal oil markets remain positive, and a large percentage of seal oil is finding its way into areas other than traditional marine and industrial oils.

DFO encourages the fullest use of seals, with the emphasis on leather, oil, handicrafts, and in recent years, meat for human and animal consumption as well as seal oil capsules rich in Omega-3. Any seal parts that are left on the ice provide sustenance to a wide variety of marine scavengers such as crustaceans, seabirds and fish.


more:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/myth_e.htm


Millions of harp seals on the ice floes off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/Photo/Photo7_e.htm

[livinginphotographs]

17. With kudos to AFSCME Girl for originally posting this article...

http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_050324_1.html

Myth #1: The Canadian government allows sealers to kill adorable little white seals.

Reality: The image of the whitecoat harp seal is used prominently by seal hunt opponents. This image gives the false impression that vulnerable seal pups are targeted by sealers during the commercial hunt.

The hunting of harp seal pups (whitecoats) and hooded seal pups (bluebacks) is illegal - and has been since 1987. Marine Mammal Regulations prohibit the trade, sale or barter of the fur of these pups. Furthermore, seals cannot be harvested when they are in breeding or birthing grounds.

From the article I posted: "Captain Paul Watson: The government is confusing the facts by redefining the definition of a baby seal. The fact is that 95% of the seals being killed are between 12 days and 12 weeks of age. They may not be newborn “whitecoats” anymore, but the difference in age is meaningless. They still are pups. Is a 12-day to 12-week old dog a puppy? The answer is yes. Is a 12-day to 12-week old cat a kitten? The answer is yes, and therefore, the answer to the question as to if a 12-day to 12-week old seal is a pup is yes.

When an animal is killed before it has learned to swim or has eaten its first solid meal – that to me is a definition of killing a baby seal.

Another problem is that the government of Canada misunderstands our concerns. It is they who stated that we oppose this slaughter because the victims are baby seals. The truth is that we oppose this slaughter because the victims are seals. I would not condone or support a cruel mass slaughter of adult seals nor would anyone else in the humane or conservation movement.

Another fallacy is that the government is constantly saying that we only focus on the harp seals because it is cute and cuddly and loveable. In saying this, they conveniently ignore Sea Shepherd’s other campaigns that focus on fish, sea-cucumbers, plankton, invertebrates, sea-birds, and sea-turtles."


Myth #2: Seals are being skinned alive.
Reality: The most recent Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Report and numerous reports mentioned by the Malouf Commission (1987) indicate that this is not true.

Sometimes a seal may appear to be moving after it has been killed; however seals have a swimming reflex that is active - even after death. This reflex falsely appears as though the animal is still alive when it is clearly dead - similar to the reflex in chickens.

From one of the links in the OP's post: http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/protect_seals/

The hunt targets very young seals. The Canadian government's own figures show that 96.6% of the reported 286,238 seals killed during the 2002–2003 hunt were between 12 days to 12 weeks old. These seals were most likely beaten to death with a club or a large ice-pick-like hakapik. Later in the season, hunters use rifles.

An alarming number of the seals are skinned while alive and responsive to pain. Recently, an independent, international team of veterinarians observed the hunt and examined the corpses of skinned seals. They found evidence that up to 40% of them had skull injuries that were not sufficient to have caused death.


Myth #6: The club - or hakapik - is a barbaric tool that has no place in today's world.
Reality: Clubs have been used by sealers since the onset of the hunt hundreds of years ago. Hakapiks originated with Norwegian sealers who found it very effective. Over the years, studies conducted by the various veterinary experts, and American studies carried out between 1969 and 1972 on the Pribilof Islands hunt (Alaska) have consistently proven that the club or hakapik is an efficient tool designed to kill the animal quickly and humanely. A recent report in September, 2002, by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, had results that parallel these findings.

See above.

Myth #12: The seal hunt is not worth it - seals are only taken for their fur and the rest of the animal is wasted.
Reality: Seals have been harvested for food, fuel and shelter and other products for hundreds of years. The subsistence hunt is a valuable link to Canadian cultural heritage. Canada exports seal products in three forms: pelts, oil and meat. Traditionally, the pelts have been the main commodity, but production of seal oil for human consumption has grown substantially in recent years. Seal oil markets remain positive, and a large percentage of seal oil is finding its way into areas other than traditional marine and industrial oils.

DFO encourages the fullest use of seals, with the emphasis on leather, oil, handicrafts, and in recent years, meat for human and animal consumption as well as seal oil capsules rich in Omega-3. Any seal parts that are left on the ice provide sustenance to a wide variety of marine scavengers such as crustaceans, seabirds and fish.

And just because it's been done for hundreds of years doesn't make it right, especially when there are more than enough alternatives to slaughtering a baby seal.

[AFSCME girl]

18. Check out the IFAW link

in flvegan's original post. It is very informative. I would be wary of information circulated by "Fisheries and Ocean's Canada". (Just my opinion).

[Minstrel Boy]

19. Perhaps I'm in a particularly cynical mood today,

and I don't mean to belittle or dismiss anyone's concern about the hunt, but the seal hunt doesn't move me. And many things do. I worry about the disappearing cod, honey bees, tigers, and frogs. Hundreds of thousands of needless deaths in bogus wars. I find much in the world that alarms me.

But a managed and monitored seal hunt, when the seal population is five million and near its historic observed high, just doesn't bother me.

[AFSCME girl]

20. I think all of us are moved by many...

different situations in the world. The world, in general, is presently in a deplorable state of affairs. I guess, for me, this hunt (managed and monitored as it is) is particularly despicable and deplorable.

[flvegan]

23. Please investigate the links.

The cod depletion is due to overfishing, not seals. They're a scapegoat, and it will cost these creatures their lives in a most cruel fashion.

[Minstrel Boy]

28. I know cod depletion is due to overfishing,

but the cod fishery has been shut down for years because the cod stocks need time to heal. And five million seals eat thousands of tons of cod.

[Catchawave]

31. The Sea Shepherd also points out that

cod is only 3% of a seal's diet. Great FAQ section on their site.

[flvegan]

24. In cutting to the chase

With all due thanks and regards to livinginphotographs and AFSCME girl, I want to point out one thing...you're using the Canadian Dept. of Fisheries defense. Kind of like asking Bush if attacking Iraq was justified, don't you think?

Just something to think about.

[Minstrel Boy]

29. I don't think so.

"using the Canadian Dept. of Fisheries defense is kind of like asking Bush if attacking Iraq was justified, don't you think?"

Let me put it this way, since you're suggesting a moral equivalence between slaughtering human beings and hunting harp seals:

Iraqis are not being harvested for food, fuel and shelter. They are not being consumed, converted into oil products and their pelts used for warmth, as have seals for hundreds of years. They are simply being killed inhumanely, in a free-fire zone, babies as well as adults.

The seal hunt is an industry. The Canadian government makes no apology for it, nor does it pretend it's a "cull." Neither does it call the hunt a crusade to liberate the harp seals, or to bring them democracy.

If seals looked like chickens of the sea, which is what they are to the people of the region, there would be no discusion.

[JackieO]

26. Tyranny of the cute? Hakapiks effective? Dude...

Have a heart

[Minstrel Boy]

30. Dude, I have one.

And it's already swollen with the atrocities of the world. This is ugly, but it isn't one of them.

[JackieO]

33. Right now I'm wondering what it's made of

Frankly, I don't think you're going to get anywhere in your quest to improve the state of human affairs while remaining an apologist for the brutalization of other species.

[AFSCME girl]

39. Two of the most heart-wrenching

pictures I've ever seen :cry: I am just speechless.....

[SidDithers]

50. Here's one too...

Killing animals is never pretty, but it happens every day, all over the world.

I'm just saying...

Sid

[JackieO]

51. yep

it's true

[JackieO]

22. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow...

It makes me sick to think about what will be happening :(

[WLKjr]

25. Sorry if I piss in someones wheaties here but......

Hasn't this been something that has been going on for centuries? People hunt animals. They always have, and probably will always hunt animals.

For pete's sake, what the hell do you think cavemen used to kill animals?


And I would be a little weary of HSUS, read an article about them and they seem like an off shoot of the crazy wing of PETA.


Doning Flame Retardant Suit now

[AFSCME girl]

27. Hope you still have your flame-retardant

suit on....I'm quite certain that most of us that abhor this "hunt" realize that this has been going on forever. What we are saying is that WE DON'T PARTICULARY LIKE IT!

Also, this IS the Vegetarian, Animal Rights Forum.....

[JackieO]

34. Just because something's been done for hundreds of years

doesn't make it right.

I'm sure we could all think of plenty of examples...

(btw, this is the General Discussion forum, AFSCME girl :hi:)

[AFSCME girl]

36. Oh, Gosh...

:blush: (good thing for me we have this new smiley!).

[Catchawave]

32. I think your confusing survival of a few to

government subsidized industry mass slaughter for FASHION ? The meat is inedible, but usually sold to the pet food and fur farm industries.

Please check out the links in the OM, they are very informative.

[livinginphotographs]

35. Slavery has always existed, gays and jews have always been persecuted.

Just because something has always been done does not make it right. That's a very conservative attitude.

And since these seal pelts are being sold to make $10,000 coats, not provide warmth for a village of humble nature-lovers, this is completely needless.

[JackieO]

37. Petition to Canadian Parliament

Please sign!

http://www.stopthesealhunt.com/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=hmKYJeNVJtF&b=412891

[flvegan]

38. Kick for the petition.

[smbolisnch]

40. Kick

:cry:

[Piperay]

41. Its awful

just awful, killing something like that for the fur. :mad:

[JackieO]

42. TIME magazine covers the Canadian Seafood boycott:

Save the Seals by Skipping the Scallops?

The same activists who helped introduce the world to dolphin-safe tuna are about to take consumers on a similarly gruesome guilt trip. In an effort to abolish Canada's government-sanctioned seal hunts, in which pups as young as 12 days are fair game to get clubbed to death, the Humane Society of the United States and other animal-rights groups will launch a campaign this week to pressure Americans to boycott all seafood from our neighbor to the north. With a kickoff scheduled for March 29, the official starting date of Canada's seal hunt, the Humane Society is printing tens of thousands of bumper stickers and pledge forms to be distributed at supermarkets and restaurants across the U.S. And thanks to unrelated legislation, the U.S. will begin enforcing a law on April 4 that requires labels on fresh and frozen seafood to identify its country of origin.

As the seal population has climbed back up to historic heights, so too has the demand for pelts in a few countries. Most of the hunt is conducted in economically depressed Newfoundland by some 4,000 off-season fishermen. "This is an important part of their income," says Geoff Regan, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. But animal-rights activists are betting that because the U.S. buys nearly two-thirds of Canada's exported seafood, a boycott will inspire the industry to end the hunt. They also contend that Newfoundland, a former whaling hub that now makes a bundle from whale watching, can overcome the economic disruption. "That kind of cultural shift has happened before," says Canadian environmental activist Rick Smith. "We can do the same with seals." --By Julie Rawe. With reporting by Tom Duffy


http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1042490,00.html

[flvegan]

43. Kick for the Time article.

[JackieO]

45. Whoops... Sealing Ships are Sinking...

Looks like some karma's kicking in:


...whereas the Farley Mowat, a strong North Sea Norwegian-built trawler is sitting as snug as bug in a rug, the sealing vessels are getting an ass kicking from the gale.

The sealing vessel Sandy Beach has been abandoned and is drifting some 30 miles north of the Magdalen Islands. Her crew were airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter.

The sealing vessel Yankee Point has been abandoned, is listing heavily in the ice, and will most likely sink. The crew were rescued by another sealing vessel the Cooper Island. The Cooper Island is now listing heavily and has forty sealers on board. The ice breaker Earl Grey is en route to rescue them.

The sealing vessel Horizon I was under tow by the Coast Guard ship Amundsen when the tow line broke and the vessel has been reported abandoned although this is not confirmed.

The sealing vessel Jean Mathieu has issued a call for help. There were two unknown mayday distress signals issued from unidentified sealing vessels. Some sealing vessels have reported having their bridge windows blown in and their electronics damaged.

more:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_050330_5.html


KEEPING IT COMIN' MOM!

[JackieO]

46. Sealers viciously attack Sea Shepherd crew - SUPPORT NEEDED!

Sea Shepherd volunteer and Harpseals.org Founder Ian Robichaud takes a pictures as he is being hit with a hak-a-pik


Sea Shepherd Director Dr. Jerry Vlasak gets bloody nose from being hit in the face by a sealer


Eleven Sea Shepherd Crew went on to the ice floes this morning to film and try and document the seal hunt. The sealers then came on to the ice from their ships and "rushed" the crew and tried to rip the camera's from their hands. Dr. Jerry Vlasak got in front of the videographer to save the footage and was punched in the face by a sealer and then cold-cocked by another, but this prevented the Sealers from taking the camera away from Jonny Vasic who was filming. Another Crew member was hit by a "hac-a-pick" and two female crew members were punched in the stomach (the smaller of the two repeatedly.) There are as of this moment six crew members who have been injured and their blood was seen on the ice.

As the crew tried to get back to the Farley Mowat (the crew were ALL unarmed except for video cameras) the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen got between the crew and the Farley Mowat preventing many of the crew from getting back to the Farley Mowat. As the eleven tried to get back to their ship, a helicopter landed and arrested the eleven including the injured Dr. Jerry Vlasak, Lisa Moises, Lisa Shalom, John Batchelor, Adrian Haley and Ian Robichaud. Some of the crew got back to the Farley Mowat and they have footage of everything that happened. Captain Paul Watson and his ship is surrounded by Coast Guard Ships and Sealing Ships, he is trying to get the footage to the mainland. Apparently some of the eleven arrested were hit with clubs, hac-a-picks, clubs and fists.

No one knows where they are being taken but as blood spurted from Dr. Vlasak's nose and he was taken aboard the helicopter, he put his fist in the air as a sign of never backing down.

Neither HSUS nor IFAW have crew on the ground. They are there with helicopters overhead, but no one but the Sea Shepherd crew have taken to the ice floes.

Now is the time for YOU to do jail support and let the embassy and consul's know that you, your family and friends will be boycotting ALL exports from Canada and you will NEVER travel on Canadian airlines until the stop this BRUTAL SLAUGHTER of the seals. TELL THEM TO RELEASE THE CREW IMMEDIATELY TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION-THE WORLD IS WATCHING.

CALL EVERY FIVE MINUTES, FAX EVERY FIVE MINUTES, TIE UP ALL THEIR PHONE AND FAX LINES. DO IT FOR THE SEALS AND THOSE WHO HAVE TRIED TO SAVE THEM.

Canadian Embassy
Washington, D.C.
The Embassy of Canada
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20001-2114, USA

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]



Call 202 682-1740 (Ask for Ambassador Frank McKenna)

202 682-7701 General Fax

Ambassador Frank McKenna: Fax [phone]


New York
Consulate General of Canada
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
10020-1175, USA

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]



Los Angeles
Consulate General of Canada
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, CA
90071-2627, USA

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

[JackieO]

47. more on the attack

At 1330 Hours, 18 crew from the Farley Mowat had crossed a mile of ice to witness and photograph sealers from the Brady Mariner. Eight sealers came towards them armed with hak-a-pics and began to shout and swear at them. Within minutes the sealers became violent and attacked the Sea Shepherd crew. 19-years old Lisa Moises, from Germany, was slapped in the face and punched in the stomach by one burly sealer. Another attacked photographer Ian Robichaud with a hak-a-pik, striking his camera and hitting him in the side of the head. Adrian Haley was struck in the face. Jonathan Batchlor was punched in the mouth. Jonny Vasic was hit in the side of the head with a club. Petite Lisa Shalom of Montreal was struck by a sealer as she took pictures of the assault on her crewmates. When another sealer swung his hak-a-pik to strike Jonny Vasic's camera, Dr. Jerry Vlasak, (a surgeon from Los Angeles), jumped in his way and took the blow across the face.




Newfoundland Sealer slaps Lisa Moises. He also punched her in the stomach.

more here:
http://seashepherd.org/news/media_050331_4.html

[flvegan]

49. Some sealers are just cowardly bastards, I suppose.

They really haven't got the nads to do much else, other than club defenseless seals and assault unarmed women.

[JackieO]

52. speaking of 'nads...

http://dmgd.org

:)

[Maru Kitteh]

53. Seems to me like it would be a job requirement........ n/t

[AFSCME girl]

48. This is an absolute outrage!

People, what in the HELL is happening to our world!!!!:mad: