Raincoast reacts to NDP grizzly hunt announcement

NDP Move to Protect Grizzly Bears in Great Bear Rainforest a Positive Step

But ‘pretend to eat the meat’ loophole for rest of province doesn’t match public sentiment

For immediate release: November 24, 2016

Sidney, BC: Raincoast Conservation Foundation has been working for the protection of habitat and life requisites for grizzly bears and other large carnivores in the Great Bear Rainforest for over two decades. Raincoast has advocated for an end to the trophy hunting of grizzly bears for as long.

The policy of allowing the killing of grizzly bears for sport has no economic, ecological or ethical justification.

NDP leader John Horgan’s announcement is an affirmation of the rights of Coastal First Nations to govern the extractive activities, such as trophy hunting, which take place in their territories and to determine the type of economic opportunities they will embrace.

“The NDP commitment to work with coastal First Nations to implement their ban on trophy hunting of grizzly bears, and to manage the resources in their territories according to their goals, ensures the bears of the Great Bear Rainforest would finally really be protected,” said Brian Falconer, guide outfitter coordinator for Raincoast.

“We appreciate the NDP’s desire to end the trophy hunting of grizzly bears across the rest of the province, however, we remain opposed to any ‘pretend to eat the meat’ policy which would allow hunters to kill grizzlies under the guise of a food hunt,” said Chris Genovali, executive director for Raincoast.

Since 2005 Raincoast has purchased three commercial hunting tenures in the Great Bear Rainforest, covering over 32,000 sq km. Raincoast remains committed, along with our partners in coastal First Nations, to our goal of purchasing the remaining tenures there.

This announcement is a recognition and support of an alternative, non-extractive, sustainable economy in remote communities. It is also an acknowledgement of the wishes of 90% of British Columbians who oppose the killing of grizzly bears.

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Raincoast media contacts:

Brian Falconer, guide outfitter coordinator, 250-715-6024/brian [at] raincoast [dot] org

Chris Genovali, executive director, 250-888-3579/chris [at] raincoast [dot] org

Images and footage available upon request.

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