Sheryl Fink, spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), says she witnessed sealers not properly following the established hunting process – and even cases of animal cruelty by some sealers. Fink says she has video of such events, and has turned that footage over to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. A spokesperson for the DFO indicated that potential violations are under investigation. In a year where weather conditions have already made for a tough seal hunt, this kind of negative publicity could spell even more trouble for the industry.
