Question:
Ice traps Canadian seal hunters

Several boats are hemmed in by the ice
Canadian coastguards are trying to rescue the occupants of about 100 boats carrying seal hunters trapped by pack ice off the country's eastern coast.
Several of the boats are threatened with damage or sinking, and at least one crew had to abandon ship.
Fishermen have described conditions as the worst for more than 20 years.
The hunt, described by activists as cruel and unnecessary, is currently in its third and largest stage off the coast of Newfoundland province.
A spokesman of the Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Department said two-thirds of the quota for the cull had already been filled.
The total quota for the hunt is 270,000 seals.
Food and fuel shortage
Winds pressing the ice floes in towards land have made conditions difficult for the boats, some of which are hemmed in and face having their hulls cracked open.

Conditions are set to continue until the end of the week and could deteriorate further, coastguards say.
Canada's CBC network said some of the boats were running out of food and fuel.
A crew member of one of the stranded boats, the Southern Pride, told the network the ice had crushed a speedboat and left their vessel high and dry.
"I've never, ever experienced nothing like this. We've been in the wrong place each time," said Gill Cadwell.
Canada insists that the cull, which is smaller than last year's, is necessary to keep seal numbers down.
Seal pelts are sold to the fashion industry in Russia, China and Norway, and seal blubber is used for oil.
The culls regularly provoke an international outcry, with celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Brigitte Bardot being involved in the campaign against them.


Answer:
I saw this in our morning newspaper, and I grinned!


Answer:
Serves them right.. Guess now they know how it is to be trapped & what its like to fear death..


Answer:
Well, I would never choose an animal's life over a human's. But this news did bring a smile to my face.
I think God has a great sense of humor!


Answer:
Guess now they know how it is to be trapped & what its like to fear death
I only HOPE it'll do some good, but I doubt it.


Answer:
I don't want anyone dead- not the seals, nor the hunters. BUT, I want the seal "hunt" to stop. If this brings it any closer, I am thankful.



Answer:
It seems that these seal hunters will have some time out there to think about what they're doing - and hopefully stop it!! I can't say I feel sorry for them.


Answer:
Those looders,
I don't want them to get hurt but maybe the weather will keep doing this too them lol.


Answer:
I hope this fright teaches them all a lesson!


Answer:
I thought that was what they get for hunting God's innocent creatures!!! A good fright may do them good!


Answer:
Well I for one can't say I would grin at news like this, but it is good that the seals have a chance now. I don't enjoy hearing about all of the seals that are killed, that's for sure.


Answer:
These people might get a little cold & hungry but they don't face certain
brutal death like the seals. Plenty of other people know where the "hunters?"
are & won't let them drown or starve.They might be uncomfortable but the
baby seal gets to live another day.


Answer:
Canada insists that the cull, which is smaller than last year's, is necessary to keep seal numbers down.
I think if it is an active culling based on population and feeding availability by the numbers, lowering disease and starvation for the others, then they are doing the seals a service. Much like annual deer hunting, alligator culls, moose hunting etc.
Hope they are rescued soon and no one is seriously injured.


Answer:
Originally Posted by Dr.Goodnow
Canada insists that the cull, which is smaller than last year's, is necessary to keep seal numbers down.
I think if it is an active culling based on population and feeding availability by the numbers, lowering disease and starvation for the others, then they are doing the seals a service. Much like annual deer hunting, alligator culls, moose hunting etc.
Hope they are rescued soon and no one is seriously injured.
I hope they never try to do me any favors or I'd take a few of their pelts.
If humans were starving I could see killing animals for food, but never simply
for their skins to decorate someone's coat. I don't buy the killing is a
kindness to these animals.It's total BS and only serves to legitimize there
cruelity.


Answer:
Dang, I wish something worse happened to them.