Updated: the DFO has confirmed that the permit application has been sent back to the PBMM and has not been approved. This means that they could still try to bring it forward, but in the immediate future, no permit will be provided.
It appears the permit application for a pinniped hunt on the west coast has been denied!
The Pacific Balance Marine Management (PBMM) president, Tom Sewid, has announced on their Facebook page that they have received notification from the DFO there will be no permit for a harvest in 2020 or 2021.
This is tremendous news and something that we can all be proud of achieving together. Animal Alliance of Canada has been in regular contact with the DFO since the proposal to bring a seal and sea lion slaughter to the west coast was first announced. Back when this issue first arose, we started a petition to keep people informed and pressure the DFO to not move forward with a permit. We have fought hard to ensure they understand the tremendous negative impact this would have on local marine systems and the cruelty involved.
However, we will not rest until we have official confirmation from the DFO of the permit denial. Also, the PBMM continue to call for killing of pinnipeds by fishermen, so we must continue to pressure the DFO to increase enforcement and stop illegal killing of marine life.
We also want to thank Deborah Short and other community members who reached out to us about the decapitated sea lions washing ashore and who helped pressure the media to draw attention to this disturbing development. There has been tremendous media coverage the last few days. This is another issue we will continue to pressure the DFO to put an end to.
Thank you for supporting our work, this is an example of what can be achieved with hard work, dedication, and compassion for animals.
Please consider donating to our organization, so that we may continue to fight animal cruelty across Canada.
https://www.animalalliance.ca/donate/
Jordan Reichert
West Coast Director, Animal Alliance of Canada
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