Seal hunt kicks off amid protests

Cruelty continues despite new< (Credit: RESPECT FOR ANIMALS)Canada's annual seal hunt, the world's largest marine mammal hunt, kicked off on March 28. To curb international protests over the hunt, the Canadian government has come up with new rules, saying that more humane killing methods will be followed this year. Total catch limit of harp seals for the year is 275,000.

The hunters have also been asked to bleed out seals before moving them. Conservationists, however, say sealers are not complying with the rule and cruelty is continuing. Conservation group Sea Shepherds has vowed to disrupt the hunt. The Canadian government insists the commercial cull is an economic mainstay for Atlantic coastal communities.