In an attempt to prevent interference with its annual seal slaughter, the Canadian Coast Guard has ratcheted up its tactics. Video of the slaughter, as well as of the repeated ramming of Sea Shepherd Society ship Farley Mowatt can be viewed here. Yesterday, the Canadian Coast Guard forcibly boarded the Sea Shepherd ship in international waters, arrested the crew, and impounded the Farley Mowatt.

The seal "harvest" is a Canadian government sanctioned event of an industry which cannot be sustained on its own profit. Sealers who participate are qualified to receive unemployment benefits throughout the rest of the year. Currently, the European Union has taken a ban on the import of seal slaughter products under consideration, a ban similar to the one the US has had in place since 1972. The Canadian government has sent a diplomatic task force to the EU to lobby against the ban.

I urge EU Mudcatters and Canadian Mudcatters as well to work for the end of this irrational and barbaric slaughter.