Originally published Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Canada charges seal-hunt protesters
The Canadian government filed charges Saturday against two crew members for a conservation group's ship that allegedly came too close to...
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The Canadian government filed charges Saturday against two crew members for a conservation group's ship that allegedly came too close to seal hunters during a protest of the country's annual hunt.
Canada's federal fisheries department said the U.S.-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's crew broke a law that bans those without a seal-hunt observation license from coming within 985 yards of the hunt.
The incident occurred two days after the March 28 opening of the annual hunt, the largest marine-mammal hunt in the world.
Those charged were Capt. Alexander Cornelissen and First Officer Peter Hammarstedt. Cornelissen is also charged with the obstruction or hindrance of a Fishery Officer or inspector.
If convicted, the men face fines of up to $99,400 and one year in prison.
Paul Watson, president of the conservation society, said his group's vessel, the Farley Mowat, is Dutch-registered and is not subjected to Canadian regulations.
"We have the right of free passage," Watson said from his home in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. "We aren't engaged in economic activity and the vessel is registered as a yacht."
Cornelissen, reached on the vessel by satellite telephone, said he and the crew intend to return to document the hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and off the Labrador coast in mid-April.
Also Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in a church in Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, to pay their last respects to three seal hunters who were killed when their hunting boat capsized in icy waters last weekend. A fourth hunter with them remains still missing.
The seal-hunting industry is under pressure from animals- rights activists who believe the hunt is cruel and poorly monitored. But sealers and the fisheries department say it's sustainable, humane and provides income for fishing communities.
Fishermen sell seal pelts mostly to the fashion industry in Norway, Russia and China, as well as blubber for oil. The U.S. has banned Canadian seal products since 1972.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate
UPDATE - 01:23 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws
U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show
Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm
India's feeling bruised even before White House visit

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
8 seat pecon formal dining table and china hutch - $1500
A American Table, Chairs and Bench - $275
ATV POLARIS TRAILBLAZER - $1800
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
Give yourself a treat and visit Watson Kennedy's Holiday Open Houses
More minding the store
events for Monday, Nov. 23
- Two-week opening at Midori Inc.
- Sur La Table November sale
- Seattle Premium Outlets Thanksgiving Weekend ...
- 5th Annual Urban Craft Uprising
editors' picks
More shopping guides- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
236 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
165 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
158 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
131 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
119 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
91 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
61 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
56 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
56 - Ranking the Pac
53
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list

