RODDICKTON, N.L. — Dear editor,
I think the seal hunt may have to commence, effective immediately.
In the now amalgamated Town of Roddickton-Bidearm, in Newfoundland and Labrador, a population of 1,000 people, and many seals at the moment, reside. Vacationers, they are affectionately referred to now.
For vacationers of a different type, this serene space is also home to two sleeping giants in the form of the Long Range Mountains. This is the eastern shore of the Great Northern Peninsula. We are snuggled in a wealthy breath-giving boreal forest, in a known safe harbour in the North Atlantic — Chimney Bay. Majestic creatures are our constant companions. Moose grace our space in record numbers to deem this tiny town the moose capital of the world. Salmon swim here — in and out, and under. Trout is tasty and cod is a staple. Caribou roam on our bogs. Bears explore. All kinds of cats, play. Vegetation thrives and enchanting flora is abundant. I love it!
These days, I gaze at our sea seals swimming in a fresh water protected brook, with trapping ice. What's going on with them? Are they OK? It hurts my heart, may as well say. Very few amazing chaps from far away have helped the lot, free now in Engelee.
We are making world news. The federal government is spending a fortune it seems, to figure out what to do with what the mayor says is a dozen, then 40 seals — vacationing at our town's complementary all-inclusive resort. There have been unfortunate deaths and anticipated, more. Their deaths, torturous and tantamount to bureaucratic brutality. Dangerous, potentially deadly for humans who might interact with the seals. They can carry disease. Just look at the teeth in the article photograph. Ouch.
The seals threaten the safety of our towns water supply. Treatment protocol is enhanced. Costly. Scary.
Are the seals really stuck or in a migratory muck?
Can the seals be carried to open waters when double the numbers released show up before the kindest of chaps are even back? I think not.
Is it reasonable to step back in time?
Do what once upon a time I thought was unthinkable. Hunt?
Feed and clothe me, I want to scream, intermittently. This is about survival. This is a life chain, being experienced here. This is an indicator of our environmental decline assisted by emotions and economics. It seems safety of mammal and man is surfacing, acutely. It is painfully clear, being here. Aside a blood-stained street, there are simply too many seals.
I am only learning about life in northern Newfoundland and all these different impacts in our world. I am confident in saying the majority of the problems I have seen are manmade.
Protection, pollution and policy.
Humans are destroying a delicate balance: designed by the Great Creator.
Ariom Eegam,
Roddickton
