Canada won't allow hunting of seals on Canada's west coast

7/27/2020

https://www.bornfreeusa.org/2020/07/27/small-but-welcome-good-news-from-canada/






For some time there has been a group, operating under the banner of the Pacific Balance Marine Management (PBMM) run by Thomas Sewid, that has been lobbying to convince the government, and to garner public support, to legalize a commercial hunt for seals and sea lions on Canada’s west coast. The argument is the usual one – too many sea lions eating too many salmon (of commercial value, of course) in a region in need of employment and revenue. In an effort to seem to be attune to rapidly growing public awareness of just how badly our species has damaged the ecosphere upon which the survival of us all depends, a nuance was added: the seals and sea lions were eating fish needed by endangered orcas, whose own survival was thus compromised.

Once we realized that the science did not support PBMM claims, we pointed out that the notorious east coast commercial hunt for harp seals demonstrated that there was nearly no market for seal products, notwithstanding decades of effort in research and development into commercially viable seal products and efforts to find markets, funded by Canadian tax dollars.

The good news? Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which manages marine mammals, has confirmed that no permits will be issued to PBMM or anyone to allow commercial hunting of west coast pinnipeds – seals, fur seals, and sea lions. Of course, we must remain vigilant. But for now, our west coast pinnipeds remain protected in Canada!






Pacific Balance Marine Management (PBMM)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1864653340315808/

Thomas Sewid is a First Nations aborigine, who is head of Pacific Balance Marine Management. Apparently he has gotten into trouble before.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/aboriginal-tourism-operator-rebuked-for-opening-burial-boxes-for-travellers-1.2774255

September, 2014

Aboriginal tourism operator Tom Sewid stands near a First Nations burial box on a remote Island in British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago in an undated handout photo. Sewid's actions, giving travellers full access to ancient burial boxes, including revealing the skeletal remains, have been condemned by his fellow First Nations.