Green Parties Around the World Newfoundland's Anthems and Songs fundraising membership site index

See High North Alliance for more information on the Seal Fishery debate.

See Canadian Sealers Association homepage for more information on the Seal Fishery debate.

See A Swilers History for a history of the Newfoundland Seal Fishery.

    Although the Terra Nova Greens are against any cruelty to animals we do recognize a distinction between animal rights and proper stewardship of the environment.It is the policy of the Terra Nova Greens that a seal harvest should only be implemented when markets are available for the whole animal. A seal harvest should not be used in an attempt to enhance fisheries.

    Ecologists point out that fisheries - if properly regulated and controlled - is energy efficient, involves minimal pollution - and is from an environmental perspectives superior to food production in the agricultural sector.

     The development of a multispecies management system is needed. Such a programme must control commercial-industrial fishing trawlers, promote and  assure sustainabilty.

     Experience shows that limiting management to a single-species perspective can give us very negative surprises. The harvest of one species do have impact on other species in the ecosystem; to understand the population dynamics of one species you have to take into account it's relationship to predators and prey.

     The notion that the hunt of marine mammals are more cruel than the hunt of terrestrial mammals has never been proven. Politicians wanting to ban seal hunts because of cruelty - have the responsibility to assure that they do not apply double standards.

    All parties should have a close look at the regulations and the standards of fisheries, hunts and factory farming within their country.

    Harp and Hood seals have never been in danger of extinction. There are millions of seals in and around Newfoundland and Labrador.

    "Swilers" cull an insignificant percentage of them. In fact, the Newfoundland seal cull has been, and remains, one of the most regulated fisheries in the world. However, animal groups continue to criticize this  insignificant seal harvest yet stand mute as industrialists exploit and destroy the North Atlantic's fish bio-mass.
 
 

In this picture you see an inshore fisherman selling seal carcasses. Behind him is bearthed one of the many draggers that are contributing to the destruction of the North Atlantic bio-mass (including cod, capelin and the barndoor skate). Which of these harvests do you believe is more detrimental to the environment? It is the opinion of the Terra Nova Greens that animal groups must act against the industrial draggers rape of the north atlantic. Industrial draggers are destroying the dwindling bio-mass of our oceans. Yet environmental groups refuse to act.

This is a harp seal . The spot on its back is where an electronic device had been placed for research purposes.  Newfoundland. 2000. H. Pinsent

Two seals enjoy the weather and the water. The seal on the left is a harp seal. The seal on the right is a hood seal. They are two different species. Newfoundland. 2000. H. Pinsent.

See High North Alliance for more information on the Seal Fishery debate.

See Canadian Sealers Association homepage for more information on the Seal Fishery debate.

See A Swilers History for a history of the Newfoundland Seal Fishery.

See Captain Abram Kean  for one of Newfoundland's most famous and controversial sealing Captains.
 
 

Terra Nova Greens

Arts&Sports site index fundraising membership