Essay on notes hist of eastern asia

The seal hunt is a Canadian tradition that has been a part of our heritage for many years. Native Americans have been hunting seals for at least four thousand years. Seal meat was their main food resource during the winter months because it was an essential source of fat, protein, vitamins and their pelts were vital for their warmth. Moreover, migratory fishermen began hunting seals in the region of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the 1500’s. Seals were used for their pelts and their fat was often used as lamp fuel, lubricants and cooking oil. Hence, seals have been harvested for food, fuel, shelter and other products for thousands of years, making this hunt a valuable link to our cultural heritage (Seal Harvest, 2013). The Conservative Party of Canada tremendously encourages the seal hunt (Baluja, 2012). Although it may seem to be a minor industry within a larger economy, the Canadian Seal hunt is a secondary source of income for Newfoundland and Labrador’s coastal communities, employing thousands of First Nations People and Newfoundlanders. This activity represents twenty-five to thirty percent of a fisherman’s annual income that can be used to pay expenses such as fishing gear and insurance (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2008).

Margaret Wente, a Globe and Mail author, bluntly disagrees with the Canadian Government’s decision to support Canadian sealers. In her article “The Seal Hunt is Dead, Thank God”, she presents a strong opinion against the seal hunt as well as her distaste for seal meat. Wente (2012) argues that the seal hunt has fallen into the hands of animal-rights activists who use propaganda pictures of lovable animals being clubbed to death by violent hooligans. Blood on pure white ice will never play well for Canada’s international image. Rightly or wrongly, there is no way to win a battle involving the killing of adorable wild animals. Hence, Wente (2012) believes that we should use scarce resources and put them into other activities that may be more economically beneficial to Newfoundlanders and ultimately Canadians instead of trying to revitalize the seal hunt that is on the verge of extinction. Efforts and resources should be invested in other economic activities such as oil and technology because they present economic advantages. Additionally, Wente (2012) argues that no taxpayer wants to see his or her money used to subsidize an economic activity that is on the verge of failure and that is constantly debated and looked upon with negativity. “In fact, four hundred thousand dollars in government subsidies were granted in 2004 to two sealing companies. Likewise in 2012, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador loaned

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