Wednesday 24 May 2017

Canada 150 - Pelagic Sealing Dispute






During our country's 150th anniversary celebration of confederation I will write posts titled Canada 150 with a link to a publication or website I find that may help you tell the story of your Canadian ancestors.
Click on the Canada 150 label on the right or at the bottom to see all the posts.

Today I have for you...


Pelagic Sealing Dispute



What is Pelagic Sealing? According to the document in the 1919 Sessional Papers...
"The term pelagic sealing is defined, for the purpose of this convention, as meaning the killing, capturing or pursuing in any manner whatever, of fur seals at sea." 
They further add that Pelagic comes from the Greek word "pelagos" meaning ocean.

This paper arose from an investigation begun 10 June 1913 by Louis Arthur Audette, Assistant Judge to the Exchequer Court of Canada, into claims by Canadian pelagic sealers of the North Pacific who feel they sustained losses by the Pelagic Sealing Treaty of 1911 (start of preservation of seals) between Canada, the United States, Russia and Japan, and the regulations under the Paris Treaty of 1893.



The Schedules with different classes of claimants names begin at the 278 mark (pg 14 of Paper No.79)




Most claimants are aboriginals from British Columbia, with a few claimants from Nova Scotia.



Relevant Links


Pelagic Sealing Commissioners Report, 1919 Sessional Papers (Mark 264 - 326)

Behering Sea Award Act 1894

Fur Seal Treaty of 1911 (from NOAA)



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