Switzerland, 10 March 2005
 
Subject: Seal War

Dear Friend of Sustainable Use,

This is not an appeal for money, but an appeal in favor of the Canadian Sealers and Fishermen. 

We, at IWMC World Conservation Trust, hope you will add the endorsement of your organization to those that are joining a Sustainable Use Coalition to support the Canadian Sealers and Fishermen and the Canadian Government, in their struggle against the anti-sealing protest industry.

We need to create a coalition to inform the world that the Canadian harp seal harvest is being conducted in a professional, scientifically justified, and humane manner with adequate supervision and for good reasons.  Animal rights organizations routinely misrepresent the seal fishery because it is profitable to do so.  They libel good fishermen and make offensive and completely false claims about the hunt.  It is time that the injustices of this radical movement are brought to an end.

Radical animal rights and extremist organizations have now joined in a cooperative network of activists who are planning to harass Canadian embassies and consulate offices (47 according to their website) in several countries (22 according to their website).  Activists plan demonstrations, marches, and other events aimed at attracting press coverage in a number of large cities from March 12 through March 15.   While protesters claim that their goal is to “stop the hunt to save the seals”, their ultimate aim is to raise the profile of protest in order to bully governments into making poor management choices for people and the environment. Their admitted tactics: build up a world wide boycott of Canadian fish products and embarrass Canada as much as possible.

In addition to the damage that could be done to the Canadian economy, this vicious and unjustified campaign against the harvest of harp seals is potentially harmful to all wildlife management sectors, because each time protesters gain any support, they strike a blow to science and to the human rights of those who make their living from the land and the sea.  Just go to their website, “Harpseals.org”, and you will realize the viciousness, and the magnitude of the dangers raised by this campaign, if left unopposed. It is a power play that must be defeated as thoroughly and as quickly as possible. 

Please join the Coalition to support Canada and Canadians in this matter.

In Canadian newspapers, the HSUS spokesperson, a Rebecca Aldworth, was quoted as saying “it is war, the seal war”. The only way to have a war is to have two armies. Let’s build up our own coalition to combat eco-terrorism. We need to add your name to the coalition in order to make it effective. This coalition is a communication and networking group aiming at the seal issue only.  It does not replace your regular organization or any groups you communicate with or participate in.

Whenever communicating, we shall identify the organizations, members of the coalition, and provide factual information on the seal hunt and on the organizations opposing it. We hope you will contact us immediately (urgently) with permission to add the name of your organization to the list of those supporting the coalition and defending the rights of those who subsistance depends on the sustainable use of our natural resources.  

Send your approval/authorization to iwmc@iwmc.org

Sincerely yours,

Eugene Lapointe, President
IWMC World Conservation Trust
(Former Secretary General of CITES 1982-1990)