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")
