FREDERICTON - The Humane Society of the United States says a boycott of Canadian seafood is picking up steam as opposition grows to the annual seal hunt, but industry experts insist it isn't having an impact.
The humane society, a leading opponent of Canada's East Coast seal hunt, says more than 100 new restaurant and grocery outlets across the United States have recently joined the Canadian seafood boycott, including a chain of steak restaurants co-owned by U.S. business mogul Ted Turner.
The company, Ted's Montana Grill, describes the annual hunt as a "senseless practice" and urges other restaurants and individuals to join the boycott.
The humane society says businesses have a choice in their boycott of targeting Canadian snow crab, Atlantic seafood or Canadian seafood in general.
Industry analysts say that wide range of options allows businesses to join the boycott without affecting their own operations.
Ted's Montana Grill, for instance, has a menu based largely on beef and bison products.
New Brunswick crab fisherman Peter Noel dismisses the boycott as "hogwash," insisting there is still strong demand in the United States for Canadian snow crab.
