The Way Propoganda can Guide our Opinions.

Canadian Seal Hunters and Their Catch (2011).  Retrieved
on March 1st 2012 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com

It is coming to that time of year again when the Canadian Seal Hunt will begin, and hundreds of thousands of seals will be hunted and their pelts sold, creating a profit of over 15 million dollars for local fisherman and their families.  Over the next few months, media of all forms, will once again turn towards Canada as animal right groups speak of animal cruelty and the Canadian government will speak of the economic benefits of this age old tradition.  In much the same way as everyone else who has not participated in the Canadian Seal Hunt, the only knowledge I have of this sport, or massacre, are photographs of hundreds of dead seals piled on top of one another with blood stains blanketing the arctic as far as the eye can see.  As with most forms of propaganda, there is a certain truth behind the photo, but not all cases of seal hunting are on such a large scale or done inhumanely.  There are regulations for the Canadian Seal Hunt, limiting the amount of seals allowed to be killed, and also all animals must be killed humanely.  It was reported, that last year 98% of all known seals that were hunted were killed humanely, with either a single shot or swing with a hakapik.  While the average of 15 million dollars of profit that the seal hunt brings into Canada may seem relatively small, fisherman argue that the sale of seal product is what supports their families throughout the year.  I myself do not hunt, but those who I speak to about hunting often eagerly await the chance to go into the bush in pursuit of deer and other game.  On one hand, if seal hunting is no different than hunting deer, then why should it draw so much attention.  On the other hand, I find myself wondering then how Canada is one of the many countries that oppose Japan and the dolphin slaughter it practices year round.

There are five freedoms to animal welfare; the freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition, freedom from fear and distress, freedom of movement, freedom from discomfort and freedom from pain, injury and disease.  These freedoms, which create many animal protection acts, are put in to place for animals which are held in captive, but should also be respected while hunting.  While some may disagree, on the most part these five freedoms are adhered to with the seal hunt.  The seals live in their natural environment so therefore humans on the whole do not have an impact on the freedoms of these animals.  So long as the seals are hunted humanely and their distress is kept to a minimum the laws are not being broken.  While I myself do not support the Seal Hunting industry, nor would partake in it should I have the chance, I believe that so long as the seals are treated respectfully and humans are not wasteful of the seal that there is no problem with seal hunting. However, just because I can force myself to understand the reasons for the seal hunt, does not mean to say that it does not sadden me to know that seals are being killed by the hundred weekly.

Myself and a dolphin (2012). Photo
taken by Motiejus Osipovas.

I did not intend on spending so much time discussing the Great Seal Hunt as I did, but with such a controversial topic I feel I could finish this post on it.  However, I would also like to discuss something that relates this.  This time last week I was in Cuba, where I opened myself up to another culture and went on several excursions.  Before going to Cuba, I researched using the internet and even Twitter feeds using the hashtags, suggested trips that I could go on to enjoy myself.  One of excursion that was recommended to me, and one that I ended up going on was a catamaran trip that included going to a private beach, snorkeling and where I would be able to swim with dolphins.  Unfortunately, when reaching the dolphins I realized that the dolphins were held captive within a small facility.  In hindsight, the marketing of the excursion and how they did not say the dolphins were in captivity was very clever.  I continue to be amazed at how different ways of communicating can impact the way people think.  At first, I felt guilty that I supporting a form of what I perceived to be animal cruelty.  However, sitting there for a few minutes I immediately began to think of the five freedoms of animal welfare and how they were all being met.  I would have much rather seen the dolphins in the wild, and while I still feel sad to see such an intelligent animal in captivity, I soon forgot about my original hesitation and really enjoyed the excursion.

Animal right groups oppose all forms of animal captivity and sometimes even animal consumption.  For Cuba, the tourism industry is of huge economic importance.  The dolphin that I interacted with seemed to be treated well by the staff.  In much the same way as people may view this as cruel, it is no different than the Canadian Rodeo, in which many Canadians, including my colleague Nicole Briggs who has been a participant, consider to be a great importance.  I'm beginning to wonder if the only reason the Canadian Seal Hunt is considered to be so much more inhumane than normal hunting, and other ways we use animals, is because of the way it is advertised.  Morale of the story being, make sure we don't blindly agree with and follow whatever we see and hear on the television or internet and look at everything critically!

Until next time,

Josh