Seals are scapegoats for problems caused by humans

Sinikka Crosland

Vancouver Sun

Monday, April 21, 2003

MLA Bill Belsey should hide his head in shame for proposing a West Coast seal harvest. The eastern seal hunt is enough of a blight on Canada's international reputation. Why invite worldwide condemnation against yet another province?

Seals are blamed for environmental problems caused by human intervention in natural cycles. When overfishing killed the cod industry, self-serving individuals were quick to blame the seals. It is easier to overlook the fact that the stomach contents of these animals typically contain squid and other species that prey upon cod.

Similarly, how easy it is to sweep the problems caused by West Coast fish farms under the carpet, and to plan an extermination of harbour seals and sea lions simply because they are a convenient target.

Money talks.

Our species threatens not only to devastate the natural world, but will ultimately reduce our own numbers, because we are intrinsically connected to our environment. What then?

Perhaps out of the rubble, some hardy species of animal life will emerge and live on, like crocuses pushing their way through the remnants of winter. Maybe seals will be among them, and justice will be done.

Sinikka Crosland

Westbank
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