A Giant Ice Sculpture in Protest against the Canadian Seal Hunt

(Brussels, 21 March 2006) – Today at 11:00 am IFAW and Gaia will unveil their giant ice sculpture, in protest against the Canadian seal hunt, on the Parvis du Cinquantenaire (opposite the Canadian Embassy, Porte de Tervuren.) Just a few days before this year’s hunt starts on the ice floes of Canada, the two organizations want to send a strong signal to the world that this cruel hunt must stop.

The ice sculpture (3,20 meter high) depicts a sealer clubbing a young seal to death. “This is our visual protest against the world’s largest slaughter of marine mammals”, says Lesley O’Donnell, Director of IFAW’s EU Office. The sculpture will be carved by the renowned ice sculptor Santiago Dewaele.

Pictures depicting the annual carnage will be on show at this event. A register of condolences signed by thousands of citizens will be presented to the Canadian Embassy.

Despite repeated calls for extra caution this year – not enough ice has formed for the seal nursery grounds and many pups could die - the new Canadian government has announced that it is still pushing ahead with one of the highest quotas ever for killing harp seal pups. The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans will allow 335,000 seals to be killed this year.

The hunt draws international criticism due to its brutality and waste. Seals are hunted primarily for their pelts, which are used in the fashion industry. The rest of the seal is discarded and goes unused. This is a hunt for seal pups. Last year, according to statistics provided by the Canadian government, 329,829 seals were killed, and 98% of them were less than 3 months old.

The international community is appalled by the cruelty of Canada’s seal hunt. The Belgian government is taking a strong stand with a proposal to ban the import and trade in all seal products. The Minister responsible, M. Marc Verwilgen, is expected to present draft legislation to the Belgian parliament in April. The U.S. already prohibits the importation of seal products. This year Mexico passed legislation to ban the importation of all marine mammal products. Italy and the Netherlands are also considering legislation to ban seal products.

For media enquiries: Gaia Angelini (IFAW EU Office) - Tél: + 32 (0) 2 237 60 52 or 0473 985165; Email: gangelini@ifaw.org