Conservationists Renew Call To Stop Seal Hunt

Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec (AHN)-- Barely a few hours after the death of three seal hunters, another hunting vessel mishap was reported on the frigid waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, prompting a fresh wave of appeals from conservationists for Canada to call of its annual seal hunt.

According to the Coast Guard, seven seal hunters were forced off the 56-foot vessel, the Annie Marie, as it was taking on water about 12 miles (20 kilometers) northeast off the northern tip of Cape Breton.

The incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. The hunters waited on pack ice for a helicopter, which picked them up late Saturday afternoon and transported home to Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec

Navy Lt. Lora Collier said there were no injuries among the sealers.

On the weekend, ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence remained treacherous, with officials saying they believe there is a record amount squeezing into the gulf.

Just before dawn, three seal hunters perished in these frigid waters. Seal hunt opponents said this is the best reason for the Canadian government to reconsider the seal hunt and end it once and for all.

Rebecca Aldworth of the Humane Society of the United States repeated their conviction that the harp seals aren't the only victims of the commercial seal hunt.

She said Saturday's tragedy could have been avoided if the federal government had stepped in with a sealing industry buy-out package as conservationists have been asking them to do for years.

In addition, Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said the Canadian government has made very little effort to ensure the safety of its hundreds of seal hunters, citing as an example that small wooden boats are still allowed to hunt in treacherous waters.

Canada's harp seal hunting season opened on Friday and hunters are allowed to take up to 275,000 animals this year.