Namibia: Anti-Sealing Day Targets Local Tourism, Exports

International Anti-Sealing Day on March 15 will mark a 'torturous' day for Namibia's exports and tourism if the country does not stop its annual seal cull, activists claim.

A South African animal rights group called Fur Free, which is affiliated to the global International Anti-Fur Coalition, will launch an intensive campaign on the day to urge a boycott of Namibian exports and tourism.

Anneke Brits, chairperson of Fur Free South Africa, said until the annual seal clubbing in Namibia is permanently ended, Fur Free and its worldwide partners will be aiming boycott campaigns at Namibian export products and all tourism to Namibia.

She said the campaign would start with tourism, as this would have the biggest impact on the country.

She said hundreds of organisations worldwide are going to stage protests against the sealing industries of Canada and Namibia.

She said protests would take place at Namibian embassies around the world.

"We tried time and again to get some positive feedback from your government. There are no other pressure groups in Namibia, and not once did the Namibian Government even try and come back to us with a positive response. Now, we have to intensify measures," said Brits.

In Johannesburg and Cape Town, Fur Free and its partners, with the support of South African celebrities, will add their voices to the campaign.

"We have a database of over 20 000 supporters, and we will start the boycott campaign by encouraging all tourism agencies in South Africa to demote Namibia as a holiday or tourist destination until the clubbing stops. Anyone interested in going to Namibia will be advised about the facts regarding the seal cull and discouraged to go there," she said.

Thousands of tourists come to Namibia from South Africa annually.

"We would like to stress that we love our sister country Namibia, and that it pains us to take any adverse action against it. We hope and pray that you, the leaders of Namibia, will see the folly of the seal massacre, and will take definite and immediate steps to end it," said Brits.

The organisation says Namibia's annual mass clubbing of seals - 86 000 last year - "happens nowhere else on earth, and is the largest slaughter of wildlife in Africa".

The organization is advocating the promotion of community-based, sustainable seal-viewing eco-tourism, which they allege "already yields ten times the revenue generated by the sealing industry".

"We look forward to the day when we will be able to inform the many thousands of supporters on our database that the annual massacre has been ended, and that our boycott action can also be brought to an end," said Brits.

Anti-boycott - Guess I'm buying two pairs of seal skin boots instead of one when I get to Namibia next month.

I didn't even know that they hunted seal in Namibia.

It sure doesn't fit the old joke:

What's a seal's favorite drink?

Canadian Club.


"Namibian Club" just isn't as funny.

Being Canadian, I always wondered why the Canadian seal hunt got all the attention, and the Namibian one, nothing. I guess that's changing. From my understanding, there are more seals that people in Namibia.

Buy the sealskin boots. They're comfy!!

In fact, they're so comfy that when I used to be a member of a city animal welfare committee, I took great pleasure in wearing them to every meeting!!

Yet another good reason to return to Namibia.

Dean

86,000 last year? There must be plenty of them. I suppose the concept of sustainable use has never crossed one of these seal huggers minds? Morons.

Seal huggers, now thats funny. I looked at the seal skin boots but bought the kudu skin instead. I guess now I have a reason to buy some seal skins.

They still kill seals in Alaska too, natives still use the oil to eat, burn etc. Tried it once, never again. SUPER high in calories, started sweating immediately.



In case anyone wants a shirt.

http://www.zazzle.com/i_club_s...t-235224203869292169

A simple thing to consider; is this alleged practive illegal, banned internationally or otherwise?

If not, then these people have no basis to impose such a threat.

Don't like the Namibian laws, move there and try to get something done. Otherwise butt out!

Dont like the idea of them being clubbed? Fine then put them on an importable cites quota. Allow visiting hunters to cull them for a fee. Trophy fee on only one or maybe two importable animals. All others are property of Namibia. Nominal culling fee per animal. Head shots only. Double or triple fees if you mess up the pelt or the meat.

Will SCI makes a record book entry for them?

What is the proper caliber for a Seal?

Is a double really necessary on a charging seal or would a push feed and some good walking shoes avert disaster in the event of a seal charge?

Then there is the dilemma of full or shoulder mount ...

sierrabravo45, I want that shirt!

Considering the value of the meat,oil, and fur I think it is fair. Besides it keeps a buch of nimrods from just getting out there and blasting away just to say they shot one. Culling in that manner is no great display of skill. Show a little class. Head shots only. If you have every seen the damn rookerie this cull is a necessity. Why not let it generate extra money for the resource as well?

As my anti-anti effort I bought sealskin boots made in Namibia. Most comfortable brand new boots ever! You can buy them new and - given a good fit - go right ahead on a long walk buffalo hunt with absolutely no hurt from being in new boots. Besides this they lasted pretty well too - not in Courtney class, but much better than most! Here they are:

Really ask your PH to get you to the factory in Windhoek. Worth every $ you pay for them, and you are supporting a sustainable offtake industry! And screwing the anti's!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Here is a link to the Arcto products page. I like their two hunters and desert boot models.

ARCTO - Genuine Handcrafted Seal Leather Shoes