World+view

A [|world view] is a set of values, interests and beliefs that influences the outlooks and actions of an individual or group. It is the lens through which everyone views the world and its different issues. It influences the way a person or group interprets and interacts with different issues. A world view also refers to a common perspective or opinion that is shared among a group, culture or the entire world.

The Canadian seal hunt is an issue that has caused much conflict. Some groups argue [|that the seal hunt is cruel, unnecessary and inhuman]. They see the seals as having intrinsic value, and the right to live. This group also views the seals as an integral part of the northern ecosystem and generally agrees that the killing of seals may disrupt the ecosystem and possibly even cause further decline in the already low cod population. [|Figure 1) Protesters with the worldview that seals have a right to live]

[|The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans has a conflicting opinion of the issue, reflecting their economic worldview.] They blame the seals for the decline in the cod fishery and view the slaughter of seals to be humane and necessary. They believe the seals have extrinsic value and should be exploited for their fur and meat since the alternative is no livelihood for the fisherman on the east coast of Canada. In this view the seals are considered a resource, not a living creature that has the right to live. This worldview is also strengthened by the fact that on the east coast of Canada seal hunting is a tradition and tradition should not be broken.

Through the protests the hunt of baby seals or white coats and bluebacks was banned and a maximum limit put on the seal hunt of 350,000 per year. The First nations also wish to continue their traditional seal hunt practices and were allocated about 10,000 seals per year for their own use (both fur and meat). The World view is widely mixed depending on who you talk too, Fishermen see them as pests and vermin eating their fish, the First nations see them as a valuable natural resource for fur and meat, Activists see them as cute photogenic mammal and believe none should be killed.

Ones world view, whether it be ecological or economic, determines one position on the seal hunt. There are many issues and unknowns when it comes to the hunt, which makes it very controversial. If one has an economic worldview, then the hunt is justified for the economy of NFLD. However, the lack of sufficient data to support or protest the hunt is not available due to the complexity of the ecosystem. Even if sufficient data and studies were done to solidify the specific numbers of seals to be killed sustainably, one with a ecological worldview would most likely still protest against the hunt due to alleged cruelty of the killing.