The Humane Society of the United States today announced that its ProtectSeals boycott of Canadian seafood in protest of the nation's annual commercial seal hunt has significantly contributed to Canada's fishing industry's loss of millions of dollars in revenue. Canadian government trade statistics reveal that Canadian exports of snow crabs – the primary target of the seafood boycott – to the United States have dropped by a staggering $350.9 million CDN in the months since The HSUS launched the boycott in March 2005. This represents a 36 percent decline compared to pre-boycott levels.
Sealing industry figures, while grossly inflated, remain miniscule compared to the massive drop in the value of snow crab exports to the United States since the boycott went into effect. In 2005, the landed value of the seal hunt was reported at $17.5 million.
To date, over 2,000 restaurants, grocery stores and other seafood distributors have taken a stand against Canada's seal hunt. Campaign participants include Legal Sea Foods, Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats Markets and Margaritaville Cafes. In addition, at least 330,000 individuals have signed the pledge to reduce or end their Canadian seafood purchases.
Many of these companies and individuals are choosing to boycott Canadian snow crabs because they account for half the landed value of the fishing industry of Newfoundland
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