OOh, just checked the international laws (since the hunts occur in Canada, Naimibia, Russia, Greenland, Norway, other places?) and they are actually allowed 45-300 seconds to provide death and still have it be considered humane, so it looks like a properly used hakapik exceeds those standards pretty well.


Like I said, though, if you want to help the seals, don't call for the hakapik to be banned. I really don't see it being fruitful, as even the veterinarian commissions who do the studies haven't said it would be helpful or neccesary.

Instead, lend your voice to supporting the proper training, continued and expanded policing for rule-breakers, bleeding as soon as the animal is unconcscious/presumed dead to make sure it will die quickly, and the mandatory blink tests before hooking and skinning.

If you want to make a difference here, I really feel like you have to think about the problem fairly and objectively, and select goals that are reachable and will benefit the seals in important ways, even if it isn't your idea of a perfect solution, and even if it is still disturbing to for you to focus on.