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Why I Support the Seal Hunt – A Basic Analysis of the Issue

By
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd.

Before we jump aboard the “Ban the Seal Hunt” boat let’s reflect on what it means to us all.  I will start from a point where I think we can all agree.  Seals are not a human subgroup.  (If we don't agree on this, then we can not agree on any issue related to the seal hunt) 

Seals are in the animal classification, are they not?  They do not have a natural right to life as humans do. If we decide to ban the seal hunt, we are talking about granting a special “right” to a group of animals at the expense of a group of people.  It's about banning the regulated harvest of an animal species that has been sustaining life for humans for centuries.  Granting a right to a specific species of animal to exist without any hunting or resource utilization will force a group of humans to lose a traditional way of life for sustaining themselves.  Clearly, banning the hunt will favour seals over Canadians.   

There are many elements that we could consider but let's look at a two.

Broad Implications

Without having to delve deeper than this I ask myself one question.  “What are the implications of shutting down an industry that is built on a single animal species by imposing a hunting ban?”  If we agree to ban the seal hunt and stop the utilization of this animal resource, how do we refuse a ban of any other animal resource utilization thereafter without being hypocritical?

If I understand the thinking of animal rights activists, they really want us to ban the harvest of all animals.  If we agree to ban one, what logical grounds have we to oppose the banning of any or all other animal groups?  This is a philosophical position espousing that all animals have a right to live without any human exploitation.  That sounds "motherhood" but where does it leave we humans?

Do you really want to go there?  Is this the world you want to leave for your children?  Eating meat has been good for you and your forefathers since time began but from this point forward it will not be good for your children or their children or any generations to come.  That is where this philosophy leads us.

Are we ready to give up eating meat-pork, beef, chicken, lamb, veal, moose and every other animal on the planet that humans need for survival?  Are we willing to become vegetarians and consume our required protein from alternative sources?

If we agree to ban the seal hunt, it is only a small step for the animal rights activist to insist that we stop harvesting cows, sheep, chicken, fish, pigs, or any other animal we use for our survival.  We will begin to turn our societies away from animal products as a means of sustenance, toward the uncertain and suspect world of grazing on greens and nuts.  Can we really sustain life this way when we aren't even feeding the world properly now?

I don’t have a problem if anyone wants to be a Vegetarian.  I do have a problem with forcing it upon people by banning an animal harvest.  Such tactics are unacceptable and manipulative.  The head of Colonilaism,  this time with a new mask, rises again to dominate and oppress a peoples way of life.

White Coat Seals

Today, mature seals are hunted for food and for their fur.  This is a way of life, a means of self sufficiency for a significant number of Canadians.  We can now stop with the photos of white coat seals as if these are the object of the seal hunt.  We can stop coddling the suggestion that these are being killed by those who carry out the seal hunt.  Clearly, hunting for white coats is against the law already.  That was stopped years ago, period-end of story.

So let’s put the suggestive poor pup photos back on the hard drive and look at this with honesty.  The seal hunt is about mature seals; animals that are good for human consumption and for other products like seal skin coats and other clothing for people.  We still wear leather jackets and shoes.  We still use animal skin for clothing, rabbit and sheep skin and sundry other types of animal hides.  If using seal skin is not acceptable anymore, then I presume we will also stop the whole business of using leather products too.  How can we just pick out one group of people for discrimination of their industry?  That is backward and absurd.  It is so absurd that it will be easy to insist that we shut down other industries that are built on utilization of other animals. 

Beef farmers will be pressured to close.  Hog farmers and chicken farmers will come under fire.  Every industry in the world that harvests and uses animals as a resource will be subject to the same pressures as the seal industry.  Otherwise we discriminate against one people group irrationally. 

If we just eat the meat of animals but the skins and the furs are discarded, would this not be a waste of resources?  Would anyone want to stand up and espouse simply killing for the meat and throwing away the fur?  That seems altogether untenable.  We know full well that it is proper to use every part of a resource whenever possible.  That is prudent resource management.  So what is the objection to using seal fur all about?  Clearly it’s not about rational thinking.  Its about elevating animals to some status of equality with humans.  If we go there our survival as a species is unsustainable.

We do not and should not ban the seal hunt.  We should intelligently appose any such action.  We need to clearly think through the implications of banning one industry that does not impact us but is very much like other industries that do.  Common sense, fairness and equal rights demand that we treat all people with the same dignity and respect that we expect from others.

R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor serving St. John’s and surrounding areas, Newfoundland and Labrador for over 20 years and can be reached at 709-895-2500. Visit http://www.rgregosmond.com/ for further information.

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By R. Greg Osmond, MBA

About the Author: R. Greg Osmond, MBA is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Torbay- Flatrock- Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 24 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate. He is also president of Red Maple Development Inc., a firm focused on new home construction and existing home renovations, for Greg's clients and the market.  Greg can be reached at 709-682-9670.  Greg's Associate Realtor, Andrew Macdonald BBA, may be reached at 709-749-8879.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!

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Comments (11)

Sylvie Conde
Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker, Toronto Real Estate

Greg, I've already commented on Terry's blog about this, and because I don't want to repeat myself, I think I  will say something I didn't mention there (I forgot).

Just like the brutal killing or slaughtering of any other animal... say the ones we eat around here - I think people are mostly objecting to the way that the animals are killed.
Just as people went on about veal (which I don't eat), and chickens, etc., people think that the WAY in which seals are being killed is more cruel than it needs to be.

I believe this is what most people are against.
I understand that the people who hunt the seal have been doing it forever, and this is their life.  I know they can't just give it up.  But just as other industries have changed their ways, with the more humane way to treat animals, maybe that should happen here to.  At least an effort should be made.

There are many traditions throughout the world, in many different cultures that many people don't necessarily agree with (could be seal, whale, dolphin, shark hunting/killing, could be bullfighting, cockfighting, etc.)....  That doesn't mean they should all be banned.... but maybe they can be adjusted/changed, because we're not the same people we were 400 years ago.

May 21, 2009 01:10 AM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Hi Sylvie,

You raise a valid point about the seal hunt (especially in the past) and every hunt for that matter.  Perhaps there are still some violations of hunting regulations but there is a definite effort being made to cull seals more humanely today.  That has been one of the benefits from the opposition to the seal hunt.  Killing should be quick, effective and as painless as is possible.  To my knowledege, that is how it's done now. 

I consider the seal hunt to be different than a sport hunt or entertainment killing like a bull fight or cock fighting.  Hunting for a living is acceptable if it is done humanely.  Most people in the industry would affirm that.  It has changed over the years due to protests, education and regulation; I absolutely am in support of that.

 

May 21, 2009 02:05 AM
Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation
Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC - Port Coquitlam, BC
Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team

Hi Greg, I agree with you and support the hunters of Newfoundland & Labrador.  Very few shed a tear for creatures that arent "Cute"

Unfortunately, like a lot of things in this world, perception becomes reality.

I was in the forest industry for 20 years, sustainable, renewable but under attack from 20 years old environmentalists that think they know everything for decades. The writting was on the wall, I left and if I was a Sealer I would be looking elsewhere now too.

May 21, 2009 02:26 AM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Scott, Thanks for your thoughts.  Some people have lots of enthusiasm but without understanding the issues they really don't know just how their actions impact so many other people.  God bless them for enthusiasm.  In time, many will mature as moderate and productive citizens.  We all know people who were up for changing the world as a youth but became more understanding of others as an older adult.

I suspect that some seal hunters are doing other things like carpentry or logging or labor work etc.  The pity is that this puts pressure on those occupations so that some people are still out of work.  What do they end up doing?  Some of them will be living off Government handouts.  One things affects another.  If we just supported people being self sufficient instead of attacking their industry, I think a lot more people would be working for a living. 

May 21, 2009 04:25 AM
Carl Stars
Sutton Group About Town Realty - Burlington, ON

Wow what a hot button issue.....! A lot of people should research the issue before commenting. I am ok with proper game management. I support the Seal hunters and there way of life.

May 21, 2009 05:49 AM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Carl,  Yes I know it's a hot button issue.  It's one that does require a little more thought than most people have time or interest to give it unfortunately.  Thanks for your comments.  Its nice to see some people are brave enough to speak out on hot button issues.  We dont always agree but hey, in a democracy we can always talk about it.  Thank goodness for that! 

May 21, 2009 11:00 AM
GLENN LEACH
Mortgage - Puyallup, WA

I suppose you're going to suggest that eating Bambi is okay too?  Ya big meanie!

Seriously, Christians get crucified in public if they try to force their religious beliefs on others, but it's okay to throw blood on a lady wearing a fur coat - that's just freedom of expression.

I suggest we make a pact with the cute little seals.  As soon as they promise to stop eating other animals for food - using cruel methods of killing (ever watched a seal shread apart a cute little king salmon?) - then we will stop eating them.

May 22, 2009 05:13 PM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Glenn,  You know I love Bambi.

The seals do get their justice for eating salmon.  It's called "lunch" for the Great White Sharks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZPhQewYf3c. 

I guess if animal activists really cared about seals they should ban sharks from hunting them too.  They won't find sharks as quick as humans to subscribe to the idea though.

Thanks for your comments.

May 22, 2009 10:53 PM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Greg,

Where oh where did you get the idea for this blog I wonder? Good post!

May 23, 2009 11:39 AM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Terry,  I suppose you could say I was driven to write this by a mad man.....me.  Giving the angel his due, you can take credit for making me the mad man.  When I find your hot buttons, look out.  I will have a field day watching you blog rebuttals.  ;)  

May 23, 2009 02:29 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

I've never had a problem with any type of hunting for food. And it IS biblical! I've heard Christians say it's not, but it's right there in the book of Genesis. so far, that irrelevant here, but just in case any comments along those lines come up...  ;-)

I do want to throw one monkey wrench in the works though. And it's the same argument that used for just about everything. You mentioned that it would be wasteful to not use the skin and fur. I agree. However, there are those who will take advantage of the laws, and once given permission to hunt if it's for food, and oh by the way, you might as well make use of the entire creature, they'll lie about their intentions, and take advantage of the laws, so they can sell the fur, etc.

To be clear, I am NOT arguing for the opposition. I'm just thinking it through, with what little I know (only what you've written in two posts). Aside from knowing that there will always be dishonest, evil people in this world, who will take advantage of every privilege they're given, we still must allow people to survive! And of course this is how it's done when you're too far north to have reasonable access to other meats.

May 30, 2009 04:14 AM