Currently,
this Nova Scotia Provincial Park at Melmerby Beach has become a safe-haven for
a group of grey seals. With unseasonably milder temperatures in the early part
of the new year, normal floating ice fields usually originating from the northern
latitudes have been substantially reduced, virtually nonexistent. Traditionally,
grey seals breed on remote rocky coastlines, secluded off shore islands, and slow
moving ice flows...since the new born pups are completely defenseless-this form
of isolation and remoteness ensures a reasonable amount of protection against
land-based predators.
With
the Department of Fisheries and Ocean's (DFO's) recent approval of a grey seal
cull, see:Grey Seal harvest
in the surrounding waters off Nova Scotia, it is coincidental that this small
group of pinnipeds "flap-footed animals" should choose to "haul
out" within the boundaries of a provincial park. Some what humorous and ironic
one can not help but wonder if their is a collective conscious at work here? Are
these marine mammals seeking asylum from DFO?
Typically
a conservation societies objectives are based on promoting to some extent, a greater
appreciation for the richness and biodiversity found in all living ecosystems.
Undoubtedly, for many Nova Scotian's and visitor's to the province-viewing these
marine mammals close-up and unharmed in a natural environment is something that
is wholly unique, fascinating, absorbing, entertaining, educational and delightfully
pleasing...regardless of country boundaries or age.
If
temperature anomalies continue to warm over the up coming decade. This mile long
stretch of fine beach sand may soon boost its own "eco-tourism" industry...(an
accessible sand bar attached to the mainland-resembling a mini Sable Island)...endless
possibilities abound when taking into account the positive attributes associated
with live unmolested marine mammals-whose evolutionary trail dates back some 25
million years. Imagine, a "self-sustaining" tourism industry-simply
based on the yearly return of these "coastal sea critters" called the
Grey Seals...
Following
the numerous stories that have cropped up in various newspapers, a theme reiterated
by (DFO) officials, once again resurfaces..."it is illegal to harass marine
mammals". No doubt, large sea mammals with young pups would enforce some
restrictive territorial guidelines of their own, either by a vocal warning or
through some physical definitive action...as with any marine animal in the wild,
caution and intelligence is always warranted, particularly when inquisitive young
children are included in the adventure.
The
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
was created to ensure that wild animals are treated humanly, fairly and with some
reverence. It is a criminal offense that is punishable by law, if individuals
or groups of individuals maliciously and willfully pursue acts of evil against
"animate life" - appropriately so, fines and disciplinary action will
be the end result. But, the group responsible for enforcing this hierarchy concept
of animal welfare is - "Environment Canada's proud Conservation and Protection
Branch..." in short, (DFO).
Canadian
naturalist Farley Mowats descriptive narrative of what government agencies are
truly capable of is worth repeating here - although dated, these events are still
relevant today:
"It
is a fine, crisp February day...a big helicopter hovers above a rocky islet set
in a glittering expanse of fragmented sea ice a few miles off the Nova Scotia
coast. Scattered across the dark rock, more than a hundred ivory-white seal pups
stare in dumb amazement at the thundering apparition hanging over them. From their
places beside the pups and from steaming leads between the offshore floes, the
gleaming heads of scores of 
parent
horseheads rear back in apprehension. The helicopter slides down its shaft of
air and lands. Doors are flug open. Bulking huge in military-style parkas, several
men leap to the frozen ground, led by two uniformed officers of Environment Canada's
proud Conservation and Protection Branch. All six are armed either with heavy-calibre
rifles or "regulation" sealing clubs. They spread out rapidly, running
to get between the seals and the ice-rimmed shore. Mother seals hump nervously
toward the frozen sea, turn back toward their mewing pups, then mill in indecision
until the staccato roar of rifle fire sends them into sudden panic. A barrage
of soft-nosed bullets slams into passive flesh. Some wounded females break through
to the shore, lurch convulsively into the leads, and vanish into the dark depths.
Others die upon the islet-some still suckling their young...hidden from the public
eye, they have been conducting such search-and-destroy missions...since 1967...on
behalf of what is now the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. They are part of
the "solution" to the problem posed by the return of the grey seal from
the brink of extinction..." (Farley Mowats-"Sea of Slaughter")
