I am looking for information regarding the seal hunts which take
place on the Canadian coast each year. Issues I am particularly
interested are :
The involvement of indigenous people. How large is their
traditional catch ?
Have they been affected by the loss of European market ?
Is it still an integral part of their culture ?
There are claims that the seals are adversley affecting
the cod harvest. Is there any evidence to support this ?
How important is (eco)tourism to the local economies ?
Is it beginning to replace fishing and hunting as a major
source of income ?
Is there any possibility that a British reporter would be able
to accompany an Inuit hunt ?
If the Newfoundland Premier is successful in opening up
new markets in the Far East for seal products, will this
lead to a resurgence in hunting ? Would this affect the
Inuit culture still further ?
Do seals play more than a subsistance role in Inuit
culture ? That is, do they get sold in great quantities
and do they form a more esoteric function.
With many thanks in anticipation,
Hugh Warwick BBC N.H.U. Radio
+44 (0)272 732211 etx.3032
c/o Natural History Radio
BBC Bristol
Whiteladies Road
Bristol
BS8 2LR
England
or Via Greennet e-mail
(Listed under Rosi Crane - NHU, BBC Bristol)