Hi all, I had to post this. I have been actively trying to stop this hunt for 2 years now. What is even more shocking is how badly global warming has melted and effected the ice for seals, polar bears, etc. I don't think people realize how bad the warming is. If they did, I think they would stop buying the SUV's.

The senseless slaughter of 230,000 seal pups began this week off the coast of Newfoundland.

This second phase of Canada's annual commercial seal hunt takes place off the remote Front of Newfoundland and Labrador, its cruelty usually safely out of sight from the rest of the world.

A competitive, reckless environment known to be extremely difficult to regulate and monitor by government authorities.

But where have all the seals gone?

The location of the sealing has moved much further north due to the drifting ice. On our first day of observation we saw 10-12 sealing ships attempting to navigate through the broken chunks of floating ice, trying to find seals to hunt.

Climate change is affecting the ice that harp seals depend on for breeding, nursing and resting. It is unclear if the terrible ice conditions have already taken most of the young seals, or whether the seals are simply too spread out for sealers to find.

Either way, it's not possible under these conditions for the government to accurately assess the current seal population or the true impact of the hunt. To slaughter over 300,000 seals in the face of uncertain ice conditions that may continue for the foreseeable future is beyond irresponsible. Already, the first phase of the seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence took more than 16,000 seals over their quota for this year.

Guns or clubs: the suffering remains the same

Rifles are used to kill 90% of the seals on the Front, yet the cruelty continues. Seals are shot, taken onto the boats, skinned, and then tossed back into the ocean.

We have already documented several cases of seals being shot, wounded, and then lost under the ice. We caught one poor seal on film that slipped into the Water after it was shot, struggled to stay afloat, and then finally disappeared under the ocean. You can see the latest hunt video diaries and audio podcasts here ( http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M715833104642643326622665 ).

Five ways you can help stop the seal hunt

It's not too late to speak out now and add your voice to the growing international pressure against the seal hunt. It's easy for you to make a real difference: simply visit the Seal Action Center ( http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M715833114642643326622665 ) for five different ways to help.

I don't think people realize how bad the warming is.

Not that Im into saving the seals (even though its a worthy cause) - I wanted to comment on this statement you made.

This global warming thing is scareing the crapola out of me. Maybe its cause I live, oh -about 30 miles DIRECTLY from the Gulf of Mexico. With coastal erosion and global warming - Im thinking that my kids will -sooner or later- have to visit their "home town" under Water - like the movie Water World.

I realize that Im just little ole Paula - and there is really nothing BIG that I can do about it.

But Im just commenting that I -too- am quite concerned about the effects of global warming.

Yes, I can actually see it in NJ too. It's not "If" it's NOW. It's frightening no one cares in the USA, people just consuming, buying the huge cars, the gov't ignoring it. Frightening.

I heard a scientist on NPR say the other day it's so bad that even if we were to do something today, it's so bad there is no chance for the polar bears.

I agree,. though - someday we are all going to pay for the effect's if we are not already. These poor seals i cannot even imagine these souls what and how they are tortured and tormented when they are in their element..

Hopefully one day they will all be protected.

SO true.

If you feel like it, please sign the petition and use the very easy "click and send" mesage to the Prime Minister in Canada.

Every little bit helps. Your voice does count.