Feds picking on the wrong seals

Times Colonist

Thursday, April 14, 2005

I was troubled by the article about the seals at the Oak Bay Marina and the proposed changes to the marine mammal regulations by Fisheries and Oceans Canada ("Don't feed flipper," April 10).

We have never received a complaint about the seals, and the signs posted at the marina clearly advise to not hand-feed. The seals at the marina have been there for more than 10 years. They are acclimatized to people. They are safe from their natural predators, and yet they still socialize with their group, mate, and care for their young, all things listed as important under the proposed changes to the marine mammal regulations of the Fisheries Act, which to date, has not passed into law.

The proposed regulations refer to "not disturbing" marine mammals in the wild. I suggest that throwing rocks or running them over with your boat might be considered "disturbing." I also suggest that the clubbing or shooting to death of more than 300,000 seals in Canada this year might be perceived as rather more disturbing to these creatures, and to Canadians.

This barbaric seal hunt in Eastern Canada is sanctioned by Fisheries and Oceans, the same government body that proposes the "protection" of our harbour seals. Hypocrisy at its best.

What's next? Shall we police Beacon Hill Park for those offenders who feed the wild mallard ducks? What about the people who feed the seagulls and pigeons?

Susan Goult,

Oak Bay Marina.