First I started scrolling through the list of grocers and seafood suppliers involved in ending the Canadian seal hunt. As I kept scrolling looking for my home state of Delaware I realized it just wasn't listed at all. So then I even tried doing a search and find in the browser, hoping I had missed it somehow...still no Delaware.
The situation is that Canada allows the slaughter of baby white seals. The commercial fishermen who earn a small amount of their living from selling the babies fur truly make most of their income from fishing and selling the fish to the United States. So, if grocers and seafood suppliers refused to buy fish from the fishermen who also slaughter baby seals then we might be able to get them to stop their awfulness.
After hearing about the horrific treatment of seals during Canada's annual seal hunt, more than 5,000 grocery stores, restaurants, and other companies have joined the ProtectSeals campaign. But alas, not one store in Delaware is on the list. Shameful.
What's the connection between your grocery store and the seal hunt? Sealers are actually commercial fishermen who earn only a small fraction of their livelihood from killing baby seals for their fur. The vast majority of the sealers' incomes -- 95% actually -- comes from commercial fishing. About two thirds of Canada's seafood is exported to the United States each year, achieving more than $2.5 billion for the Canadian economy annually. This dwarfs the few million dollars contributed to the Canadian economy by the commercial seal hunt.
By choosing to avoid Canadian seafood, you can give the fishermen who kill seals a clear economic incentive to stop the slaughter. So far, our boycott has resulted in millions of lost revenue for Canadian sealers. But we aren't there yet: As of today Canada still refuses to bow to international pressure, and is readying its sealing vessels for the 2009 slaughter.
So today, ask your local grocery store to step up for seals: Download this customer comment card and/or pledge form and give it to your store manager the next time you go grocery shopping.
I have contacted Acme, Safeway, WalMart, Superfresh, Pathmark, BJs Wholesale, Costso, ShopRite, Trader Joe's and GIANT in my local area. If you live in Delaware please continue my plea. If you live elsewhere please look into contacting your local chains. I will let you all know if I receive a response.
UPDATE:
Alicia from Costco Wholesale Corporation sent a response to my e-mail, it stated: "Dear Christy,
Thank you for your email to Costco Wholesale.
Costco Wholesale is aware of the U.S. Humane Society campaign requesting U.S. retailers to boycott Canadian fisheries in protest of the annual Canadian seal hunt. At this time we have no plans to participate in a boycott of Canadian fisheries.
Thank you for sharing your concerns with us.
Thank you,
Alicia Costco Wholesale Corporation"
UPDATE--
"Hi Christy,
Thank you for taking the time contact us. This has always been Trader Joe's stance on purchasing seafood in the eastern part of Canada.
Thank you for contacting us concerning your issue. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
While we are troubled by the concerns you have risen about the treatment of seals in the Northeast Provinces of Canada, and respect the interests of consumers who elect not to purchase certain products.
We are committed to providing our customers with the products they want and expect.
We respect the right of individuals to support issues that are important to them, but we will continue to provide our customers with the variety and choice that they are looking for when they shop at Albertsons.
SUPERVALU is in compliance with country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements now in effect for seafood. These requirements inform consumers of the origin of the seafood that they are buying, and allow them to make informed seafood choices in our stores.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Center at 1-877-932-7948.
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