Members of In Defense of Animals (IDA) will join The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and animal protection groups across North America in holding demonstrations at over 85 Red Lobster restaurants in 28 states and in Canada. The groups are asking the restaurant chain to support an international boycott of Canadian seafood products to protest the cruel and needless slaughter of harp and hooded seals in Canada. 

San Bruno, CA
When:	Saturday, June 25, 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.
Where:	Red Lobster, 1210 El Camino Real
Contact:	Alicia Moore 415-388-9641, ext. 228
Tigard, OR
When:	Saturday, June 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where:	Red Lobster, 10330 SW Greenburg Road
Contact:	Matt Rossell (503) 890-5151
Vancouver, WA
When:	Saturday, June 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where:	Red Lobster, 8219 NE Vancouver Mall Drive
Contact:	Connie Durkee (503) 249-9996

The HSUS sent observers to this year’s hunt and documented the slaughter. This footage was reviewed by a Canadian veterinary expert in humane slaughter and according to her statement, the footage showed clear evidence of unacceptable and illegal cruelty to animals. Among other things, the videos show seals that have been battered with a club or hakapik and then left, or hooked and dragged, or skinned while still alive.

Sealing is an off-season activity conducted by commercial fishermen from Canada’s East Coast. Seventy percent of Canadian seafood is exported to the United States, producing $2.8 billion annually for the Canadian economy and making the industry a viable target for a boycott. 

“Each year, hundreds of thousands of baby seals are clubbed and shot to death, and a panel of international veterinarians who studied the commercial seal hunt concluded up to 42 percent of the seals they examined were likely skinned alive while conscious,” said Elliot M. Katz, DVM, President of IDA “We hope that Red Lobster, the largest seafood restaurant chain in the U.S., will make the compassionate decision not to sell any Canadian seafood until the hunt is stopped permanently.” 

Among the companies that have already agreed to boycott Canadian Seafood are Whole Foods Market, Legal Sea Foods, Down East Seafood, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, and Spectrum Organics in the United States, and Marks and Spencer in the United Kingdom.

Video footage and photos taken at this year’s seal hunt are available for immediate download by contacting Tracey McIntire with HSUS at 301-548-7793.