Alishia Fox - Response to Miss Newfoundland and Labrador RE: Canadian Seal Hunt

[circafreak86]

@foxshots Ok so I dont totally understand what you mean by wasting the last of our natural resources? I get where your coming from and I agree to an extent but Canada is the 2'nd largest land mass in the world. We have so many untapped natural gas wells and oil sands not too mention we have an unlimited ammount of hydro and lumber. Our agricultural industry is booming and will continue to do so for a very long time. I do not believe nor do i support the seal hunt but this is a hopeless arguement

[tricon909]

Ok SO what YOU AND THE PEOPLE do not UNDERSTAND IS THAT THEY DO NOT CLUB THE SEAL'S !!!!! And they Are Shot I live in Newfoundland and where I live and the the PAST 40 Years they have not been "smashed in the Head half alive" I just call that Bull crap !!! Because it is not True and go on Trying to seem like you are doing a Big thing Saving the Seals when really you are making a Fool of your self and Wasting your Time and I look Forward to sit down watching you with my seal Skin Slippers on !!

[yessgtwillrock]

MrXstacey is a toothless pussy......Alishia you ROCK!

[ScientologySucksAss]

BAN SEAL HUNTING, STARVE THE NATIVES!!

HURRAY FOR DEMOCRAZY! :D

[wizwow77]

here is something else for you to think about...green peace is now becoming a pest in western canada..protesting the oil sands. ...I think the majority of western canadians will soon realize how underminded the green peace attack campaigns can be with all the propaganda..greenpeace still maintains that baby seals are being killed on the east coast..the truth is.there has been no white seals killed for the last 20 years....green peace is losing support in western canada.

[foxshots]

@wizwow77 I try my best not to associate myself with any of these protest groups as they carry such a negative image and are mostly attempting to raise money which doesn't end up going to help the cause. I for one think that as a country we should be focussing on becoming leaders in green energy rather than wasting the last of our natural resources. Green Peace, like many other such organizations use the seal hunt as an avenue to collect donor dollars. I simply don't agree with the hunt.

[EEKSPLEE]

@foxshots  Well, we are actually not wasting our resources, we use them for many things, and we are definately not using the last. As of winter 2010-2011, there are over 9 million seals off the coast of my home, NL. I do not agree with you, but I do respect how you handle it very maturely, and not in a childish manner. As a Newfie, I respect and practice my culture which is fading away. I can see where you're coming from, and don't expect you to understand what I think. I wish we could get along

[wizwow77]

so..you are exploiting the seal hunt protest inorder to become a journalist...why dont you try to defend poor little pigs that also die with a blow to the head...so we can have bacon for breakfast....there will come a day when the seal hunt protest will become ..how they say...'so last year'...china is going to buy seal products now..there is going to come a time when people will be more concerned with truly important issues threatening the world...look what is happening in egypt this week.

[foxshots]

@wizwow77 Have you ever wondered how many of your tax dollars went towards Gail Shea's trips to China to promote seal meat in order to continue the hunt? It took almost two years and a lot of convincing. You're right on one thing, there are many more important things going on in the world. This is an opinion piece made last year. If you don't like it, don't watch. Thanks.

[wizwow77]

@foxshots..it makes me feel a whole lot better knowing that maybe my tax dollars were used to promote an industry that provides much needed income for many eastern canadians..not only rural newfoundlanders..but people in Prince Edward Island and quebec....if you have ever been to any of these places you'd probably realize the importance maintaining any economic activity...good luck...maybe you will end up on the cbc news one day..

[foxshots]

@wizwow77 I can understand where you are coming from. I have visited the east coast provinces and I love them as well as the people :) I do know that there are not many options available for economic activity due to the vast over-fishing and lack of industry on the coast. I wish our government would put our tax dollars towards building more sustainable and eco-friendly industry options so we can move forward as a country and provide these families with another option for income.

[wizwow77]

@foxshots yes you are correct there is not a whole lot of options but there are infact some..i do know that there was never a decline in the stocks of atlantic salmon but the government decided to close the commercial salmon fishery in nfld, actually there is more salmon now than anyone can ever remember..but a guy could go to jail for having one for dinner..meanwhile the commercial salmon fishery employs thousands in British Columbia...the challenges facing newfoundland are very complicated.

[foxshots]

@wizwow77 I know, you're right, very complicated. Although the commercial salmon fishery employs a lot of people on the west coast, they are having a hard time now and probably harder time in the future as the stocks are depleting quite quickly and the catch isn't the same as it used to be. I just got back from Van.Island where they are having problems with salmon returning to spawn because of commercial fish farms polluting the waters :(

[wizwow77]

@foxshots anyway..the story goes that a conservationist linked to Irving oil was co-owner of Salmon Fishing camps in NewBrunswick where wealthy americans would be flown in to sportfish...this conversationist started a campaign and the result was the closure of the commercial salmon fishery in many parts of eastern canada..the salmon stocks support both comercial and recreational fisheries in BC. why not nfld..Im starting the sound like micheal moore..but hopefully you see my point...

[Rushworshiper92]

This industry is pritty gorry? oh so that gives someone the right to take a personal picture of someone and make it look like they'ere a murderer? I hunt moose, bears, duck....whatever really. But because it involves blood you think someone can take a piture of me and crop it so Im running around the woods naked with a bloody moose skull on my head?

[irnfldr]

wow, all talk & no facts! have you ever lived in NFLD? right, as for the eu ban? thats ok cause all of NL have already banned eu products, wine, cheese ect. we will not buy it. as for you living in windsor...well what a dump that town has turned out to be. i guess we can blame the fall of the auto industry on the tree huggers? ont, a have not province? i still cant belive it! dont worry your UI CHECK is covered by NL. shooting fish in a barrel? cant be done! thanks to mythbusters! WDS is hiring!

[1956jackdharcourt]

Hey butt hole ... enjoy your next hamburger or chicken finger... stupid

ps. if our fore fathers had seen you coming they would not have given the vote to women check out a slather house for gore !

Love Jack D. Harcourt

[Joshjman2]

They don't only hunt for the fur. That would be stupid. And they do not kill the baby seals.

[sako85]

Stupid and ignorant.

[bushbob2000]

In 2008, the animal rights groups earned 330 million dollars from protesting against the Canadian seal hunt. No one wants to see the seal hunt end, most of all animal rights.

[bluekentucky1]

You Rock!

[Paradotical]

so are you saying you are against seal killing everywhere? there are alot of nothern aboriginal people who really on seal meat to survive. seal meat has over 5 times the nutrients than any major farmed animals. there is reason for seal hunt, maybe not for fur but for food.

[foxshots]

@Paradotical No, I'm not against the Northern aboriginal communities that hunt seals for their survival at all. They use the meat and fur for clothing and food and to survive. I'm against the commercial hunt where white european settlers go out to kill, skin these seals mainly for their fur, for fashion. Our Government is trying its best to blur the lines between the two very different hunts here in Canada.

[Melissa4U1987]

@foxshots shouldn't at all, the meat is posioned with mercury.

[foxshots]

@Paradotical After the seal is skinned for it's fur, the rest is left on the ice to rot :( It's senseless killing for minimal profit - and the markets are disappearing fast.

[discodancer6969]

@Paradotical This hunt is diffrent from the inut hunt. All animal rights organizations keep the inut peoples seal hunt COMPLETLY alone! it is serperate from this one. The inut people use all the seal parts as well as use it for there familys for food and clothing not trying to sell it for pocket change. Organizations such as the ones shes behind do not want to get rid of the hunt for the inut peoples just this spasific hunt witch is completely unessasry as they get money from fishing.

[CodenameSailorv1]

@Paradotical

 I read its high in mercury

[CoffinCornerX]

Another articulate and fact filled video. * * * * * Five stars. As you've commented, it's ridiculous to see how mortified by the pictures of the seal hunt MS. Newfoundland is when she's a in them, yet the hunt itself doesn't disturb her??

[guitargenius0123]

Who lets you write?

So someone made a crappy video and put it up on youtube...?

[foxshots]

@guitargenius0123 The Charter of Rights. And, I've been published. Have you?

[Kissing12Roses]

Mind you there are probably more people who seal hut for food tha fur!

[foxshots]

@Kissing12Roses In the Inuit community yes. But, not the commercial hunt. That is mostly about fur.

[123qwerty0123456789]

I can see there is more then one embarrassment after watching this video.

[foxshots]

@123qwerty0123456789 Clever.

[123qwerty0123456789]

Very clever.....I see you are a math major as well.

[foxshots]

As a matter of fact, I am. Look, if you don't have a valid point to convey, than I suggest moving on. Thanks.

[blueflagfree]

the most being humane is to be humane to human first, I totally agree to protect any kinds of animals because they are also a part of our earth, but I disagree to protect or chant animal right when thousands of millions of people are being killed or starved . it is okay to hunt some seals If they can find a balance of hunting, not too much.

[CoffinCornerX]

@blueflagtree. It's not a human right to pilage the earth and create suffering for such reasons as trivial as a fur fur hat or vest.

[wizwow77]

@CoffinCornerX nor should it be our right to raise pigs on a farm, herd them into a slaughterhouse and clunk them over the head or zap them with electricity just so we can have the pleasure of bacon on our burgers or for breakfast...I am from eastern canada..i am amazed that people jump on the band wagon of anti-sealing but will probably have bacon for breakfast on the day of the protest....check out pig slaughtering videos on you-tube.

[foxshots]

@wizwow77 It's not about jumping on a bandwagon. It's my belief that the commercial seal hunt is not necessary. Nor is slaughtering pigs, but the two issues, although they seem similar are very different. If you don't agree with the way pigs are treated, please discuss your opinions in your own video if you have the courage to put your face and views out there. Cheers.

[blueflagfree]

there are a lot of people who are suffering genocide and human right violation, but we would like to ignore them and pay that much attention on animal, aren't we hypocritical ?

[foxshots]

You're right, we should pay attention to all of these issues, human beings and animals alike. I can't address them all in one video response regarding the seal hunt. No matter what issues one presents an opinion on, there will be someone telling you that you must fight for another, more worthy cause. We should care about all of these issues concerning our planet. There are many.

[blueflagfree]

so we should not pay that much attention on those animals which are not facing extinction. we do not have that much energy and time to pay on all of these issues, Seal would not become extinct.

[foxshots]

In fact, they were almost hunted to extinction and thus the DFO put regulations on the 'Hunt'. We should be concerned with everything that is going on in the Oceans. They are the life force of our planet, and we have caused major damage.

[CoffinCornerX]

@ blueflagtree. Here we encounter the classic, "But what about endangered seal species?" Argument. Most endangered species around the world including seals have the protection both of federal government programs that collect millions, if not billions of dollars from tax payers. The MMP Act of 1972 in the USA protects 3 out of the 5 endangered seal species. Add to it NGO's like WWF, Earth Justice and Greenpeace that concentrate on protecting endangered species. They're already protected.

[CoffinCornerX]

@ blueflagtree. I see, the old, "What about people problems?" argument. Well, the next time your wallet or watch gets stolen, how about we stop the cops from filing a police report by saying, "Hey, what are you doing? There are murders and rapes occurring throughout your jurisdiction and your gonna waste your time on a simple theft like this guys wallet??"

[forrbrown]

I support the seal hunt. I've done the research on this issue - the effects on the seals, fisheries, and the economy

It is hideous. But we need to look at this critically rather than through the lens of "cuteness". Baby seals are adorable but so are calves and so are chicks. If you're against the seal hunt then I see no reason for you not to be against all sources of meat. So post anti-beef videos.

In your video you mentioned - why don't you let nature take its path. We ARE part of nature.

[foxshots]

I know we are a part of Nature. I respect your opinion and the fact that you have done research, so have I. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind here, I know this is a tough issue that won't go away on both sides. Yes. Seals are cute and so are cows, chickens and pigs. I reacted to a video on the Seal hunt, where the majority of the meat is not even used and is left discarded on the ice or oceans. I am one person with an opinion. If you are looking for Peta videos, you will find them.

[CoffinCornerX]

@ forrbrown - Sorry buddy. Like Foxshots says. You can't compare the slaughter of baby animals for their fur to the subsistence industry. According to an analysis of DFO figures from 2007, less than 3% of the edible biomass generated by the seal hunt was ever sold as meat. Baby cows and baby pigs are cute too, but you down find their skinned carcasses littering the farm fields of Iowa and Nebraska. Since information campaigns against it started in the early 70's veal sales have dropped 85%.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - BTW, I didn't think you were a PETA activist. Just mentioned the baby chicks because they are also cute and fuzzy when they're babies, but way more of them die than seals.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - Observers are allowed to film and photograph at will from a short distance, by law, and the only people that do not get these licenses are people that interfered with the hunt in the previous season.

The observers get incredible amounts of footage but some of it is unusable and the remaining footage is edited down for short videos.

Many of the sealers also have a trust issue as well because of the HSUS, who were caught faking footage on numerous occasions.

[foxshots]

@canucktunes I know, you must be at least 10 meters away and have to obtain a special permit. Right now, the DFO is trying to make amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations that would allow them to refuse applications whom ever they choose, so how can it be fairly reported if both sides are not shown?

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - The last amendments they made were in 2009 and would keep groups that can't be trusted to observe off the ice.

A constitutional right for journalists has been established in 1989 so they can't arbitrarily change the regulations to dismiss this right. But they can limit or disallow access for safety reasons.

[223gunner]

Actually it was & still is fairly reported every year by unbiased scientists,veterinarians,anima­l welfare groups. if you dig a little deeper in your research about those animal rights groups you will see why DFO is trying to do this!

[foxshots]

@223gunner You're right. A lot of these groups are more concerned with money,but they do bring these issues to the attention of the public. Even though I do not necessarily agree with some of their shocking tactics.This is why I am not part of any particular animal rights group. I can see why the DFO wants to regulate these permits, if the photographers are intervening. But, how do we know who our government is not letting in and why? If they are corrupt, who will stop them? They're politicians.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots, according to section 32(1) of the Marine Mammal Regulations it is the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that is responsible for imposing prohibitions.

If he or she fails to enforce these regulations in respect to the rights given to journalists, he or she will be held responsible for the consequences in law.

This person is also an elected member of parliament, responsible to his or her constituents.

[kinamina1]

I do personally agree with the fact that the seal hunt is brutal and somewhat barbaric, however I do not think its right to strip the Canadians of their tradition.

Moreover I want to ask you what solutions would you suggest to the hunters? I mean you are taking away their life source or means of living.

[foxshots]

@kinamina1 I susgest Eco-Tourism: There are presently successful tours to the ice floes for people to see the seals in the wild. These tours could be expanded and a winter tourist industry built on the foundation of seal watching.

Also, the hunt only accounts for less than 5% of the hunters annual income.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - In regards to eco-tourism, the industry will flourish regardless of the hunt because the best places where seals can be encountered are near land, hundreds of miles away from the remote and inconveniently located ice flows where the hunts take place.

There is no Ecotourism VS Seal Hunt situation.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - Forgot to mention another problem with the eco-tourism idea.

You claim that seals are threatened by global warming and that the ice on which the seals are born is melting.

So where exactly would the tourists then go to see them after this ice has melted ?

[mistasista420]

Stand up for Seals! Not the Seal Hunt!!! I'm glad someone finally has some sense, Miss Newfoundland is ignorant.

[photog4bands]

Tell it girl!!

[foxshots]

Let me explain to how the oceans are being screwed up by this (never mind the overfishing of COD on the East, cause that's a different topic).

After the seal is killed and skinned on the ice, some of the dead seals fall into the ocean, where they start to decompose and create 'hypoxia' or DEAD ZONES in the Ocean. These DEAD ZONES are starved of Oxygen and nothing can thrive there. Google it and find out more.

[banjer4u]

@foxshots Viewing the most recent mapping of the expanding dead sea zone reveals that the area has spread along the Atlantic coast from Massachucets to now include much of the Gulf Coast. These are not areas where seals are harvested. A view of these most recent maps also reveals NO such dead sea zone ANYWHERE in Newfoundland or Labradour. In fact the largest dead sea zone is the Black Sea. Another one of your myths BUSTED! Tell me what you're doing for Canada besides destroying an industry?

[foxshots]

a) Seal excrement and voluminous worm eggs feed phytoplankton and zooplankton which turbocharges the food chain and provides oxygen for fish to breathe.

b) By killing sick and dying fish seals ensure the survival of the fittest and reduce competition for dwindling food supplies.

[foxshots]

c) By eating sick and dying fish, since there are few sharks left to do this, seals help avoid dead zones. If fish die and are not recycled in the food chain, they rot at the bottom and the process of bacterial decomposition removes valuable oxygen from the water causing hypoxia - dead zones which harbour no life - no plankton, worms, fish, oxygen.

d) As air breathers they can dive to the bottom and move nutrients (eggs/spawn) to the surface for plankton.

THIS IS WHY SEALS ARE NEEDED.

[canucktunes]

Sarah "Palin" Green. I guess you found the use of the name "Obama Ben Ladin" witty as well, right ?

You apparently didn't look at the full report because she clearly stated that she knew what the seal hunt was and they mentioned that seal meat is eaten in the area.

Cows have their "heads bashed in" as well and they have much more blood in them than seals. And even vegans can't escape the responsibility of Animal deaths on the produce farm (moles, mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks)

(cont)

[canucktunes]

(cont) But of course you are probably as clueless on that subject as the methods used to kill seals.

FYI, they don't slit their throats. They cut the arteries under the front flipper. And when the seal is dead I'm pretty sure they can't be "skinned alive", as you claim in your video.

Apparently you also don't know that IFAW recommended this procedure on page 12 of their March 2001 report.

[foxshots]

@canucktunes I'm not clueless to this. It's called bleeding them out. And yes, the IFAW wants them to do this to make sure their dead before they skin them... and if they were actually using the meat for food, they wouldn't leave the dead skinned seal there on the ice, only to fall into the oceans and create 'dead zones' in the water. Why don't you educate yourself.

[canucktunes]

I've read the reports from IFAW, the CVMA, the EFSA, and the numerous associated studies and I need to educate myself ? You don't even know how they are bled out and when so I know you haven't read these reports.

Reality check. Every time someone tried to sell seal meat their potential clientele were berated with unsubstantiated claims by the activists. That's the only reason the seals are left on the ice.

[foxshots]

@canucktunes If they were killing the seals for the meat, they would go after the larger seals... for more meat! They are killing them for their coats... don't be naive.

They are bashing in the heads of three week old seals...

[canucktunes]

More proof that you haven't read the documentation.

The EFSA has confirmed that 95% of the seals hunted are 1 to 3.5 months of age on page 24 of their Dec 2007 EU commissioned report.

The larger seals have thicker skulls and it would take significantly more effort to make a humane killing. And by then these seals would have had plenty of time to mate, counteracting the population control issue.

There are 8 million seals worldwide and 1.4 million seals are born every year according to the IUCN

[foxshots]

@canucktunes 1 to 3.5 Months is still a baby... you won't change my mind on this issue and I won't change yours. You assume that I haven't read these reports because I didn't include every detail in my five minute video. I do know how they are bled out, by the flippers, I guess you can't make any wording mistakes, because that's how you build you argument. I will post links to other articles I have written on this topic.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - Actually at that age they have been weened from their mothers, molted all of their white fur and have begun to hunt and swim. So they are not the fluffy white seals you see on the activist posters, etc.

Male baby chicks in the states die by the billions every year, within 48 hours of their hatching.

You contradicted the information found in these reports. You failed to mention that sealers do other tests prior to bleeding to confirm brain death or unconsciousness.

[foxshots]

@canucktunes IF all of the sealers are actually biding by these rules, why not allow the hunt to be photographed? I know that the white coats are no longer allowed to be killed, they're still so young - and if it's fur you want - why not collect the molted fur instead of killing them? This video is not about chickens, that's a different topic. Just because I have opinions about what is going on in my Country, doesn't make me the over-the-top activist you think I am.

[canucktunes]

@foxshots - In regards to the fur : The white fur isn't what the fur traders are after. They want the grayish spotted pelts.

That's why if you Google "seal fur coats" you'll see significantly more images of gray fur coats more than white fur coats.