Lenie’s visit to Prince Edward Island is attracting a lot of media attention in Canada. Television, radio and newspapers are reporting on ‘the Dutch woman’ who is negotiating with the seal-hunters to end the seal hunt. Unfortunately, the matter has not yet been resolved. However, so far, discussions with the seal hunters, the provincial authorities and scientists seem to be resulting in a possible end to seal hunting. And that is a real necessity.
Lenie: ‘This year too, the changing climate will bring less ice. Seals need the ice to enable them to keep their young alive. Among other things, mass-hunting will cause the harp seal to be added to the list of endangered species within a couple of years. This cruel hunt needs to be stopped as soon as possible. By discussing this here, with all the parties involved, we are trying to create an opening, to offer alternatives, in order to be able to begin ending the seal hunt’.
On the third day of her visit to the Canadian province Prince Edward Island, Lenie spoke with the minister of Tourism. The government and entrepreneurs are concerned about Canada’s worldwide image. Tourists are avoiding the island because it is associated with seal hunting.
Earlier this week, Lenie met with the seal hunters. During summer they fish, but at this time of year they are preparing for the seal hunt. It is a bloody and also dangerous activity for the hunters and is detested throughout the world. The ‘clubbers’ like to portray themselves as tough men, but they are also just husbands, fathers and sons. If you ask them individually, they tell you they would rather not hunt either. The (false) notion that hunting seals is necessary because seals eat their fish, but also because it earns them some extra income means that they continue this activity. Lenie has proposed alternatives to them that could generate more income, such as a nature-information centre and ecotourism with seal-spotting expeditions. Until then, paying off the hunters is an option.
Today Lenie is speaking to members of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. Tomorrow her schedule includes a meeting with seal expert Don Bowen in Halifax.
Read more :
CBCnews, Canada | Prince Edward Island
and
The Guardian
03-15-2007 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
