Kanadska foka

Godišnji lov na foke u Kanadi je, ocenjuju posmatrači, ove godine prošao uglavnom neuspešno - uhvaćena je svega četvrtina životinja od propisane godišnje kvote. Ribari za neuspeh krive opadanje interesovanja za fokino krzno, odnosno kožu, kao i najavljenu zabranu prodaje proizvoda od foke u Evropskoj uniji.

Čujte prilog

Many hunters from fishing communities in eastern Canada didn't even bother taking their boats out for this year's seal hunt. The market price for a seal pelt is around 12 US dollars, a steep decline from a peak of 100 dollars a pelt a few years ago. The seal quota had been set at 273,000, but this year those who ventured out barely took 70,000.

The depressed value of the Russian rouble and the subsequent erosion of one of Canada's largest markets for seal products, is partially to blame for the decline in numbers. China is another major customer, also reeling from the global recession.

But it's clear that the prospect of a European Union ban on seal products and growing international disdain for the hunt is becoming a major factor in its near collapse. The European parliament passed the ban in May, but it still needs the backing of EU governments. That is expected to be a formality.

Canadian fisheries officials admit that they have an uphill battle in what has become an emotional international debate. Animal rights groups have successfully campaigned for decades against the seal hunt. The annual kill has been a source of critical seasonal income for fishing communities already hit hard by dwindling fish stocks. But some here are wondering if this could be the beginning of the end for the centuries-old practice.

Lee Carter, BBC News, Toronto

Čujte reči

didn't even bother taking their boats out for this year's seal hunt
nisu se potrudili ni da izadju na more tj. počnu lov na foke (jer su bili demotivisani niskom zaradom)

a seal pelt
krzno (koža) ubijene foke

a steep decline from
ogroman pad u odnosu na ranije

the subsequent erosion
spori pad koji je rezultat opadanja vrednosti ruske valute

is partially to blame for
je delimično kriv, je jedan od razloga

reeling from
ovde - zbunjeno, nepouzdano ponašanje usled nečega

disdain for
gađenje, prezir prema nečemu

to be a formality
ovde - nešto što se daje gotovo automatski, bez ozbiljne diskusije ili protivljenja

have an uphill battle
voditi bitku na uzbrdici, suočavati se sa velikim teškoćama

a source of critical seasonal income
veoma važan izvor prihoda u određenoj sezoni tj. delu godine