Seal skin purse seized at U.S. border
Woman upset at confiscation of treasured gift
Nora Fitzgerald always liked the attention her seal skin purse garnered, but not the kind it drew at a United States border crossing.
The Corner Brook woman was proud of the gift given to her by her mother last year. It was bought at a craft table during an event on West Street, and it meant a lot to Fitzgerald.
The reminder of her mother’s love was one thing, but a lot of people would compliment her on it and ask about it. The chance to talk about her home province was something she was also proud of.
Heading to New Brunswick for a vacation, the purse was a must item to take. During her stay, an afternoon in the United States was planned. Again, the purse was the ideal apparel for the trip.
Fitzgerald had no idea seal skin products were prohibited from being taken into the United States. Their crossing was going rather routine until a female agent asked about her purse. She commended her on its look, and Fitzgerald was more than happy to tell her about it.
She was then asked to go inside the customs office and take her purse. That is where she was informed the purse would be confiscated. She said she was told seal is an endangered species, and fur products were not to be taken across the border.
She was shocked, and upset to lose the gift. She said the customs agents were polite and apologetic, but it was obvious she would never see the purse again.
“I had no idea in this world going across there for the afternoon would create such a fuss,” she said.
After returning home, she posted the experience on Facebook.
From the reaction, she said it was obvious she was either wronged or people did not know they were unable to take seal products across the border. It turned out to be the latter.
Fitzgerald wonders how much the controversy over the hunt has to do with the awareness of seal products as a prohibited item.
“Just because Newfoundlanders think it is all wonderful and great to promote seal skin products, doesn’t mean the rest of the world shares our enthusiasm,” she said.
In fact, she wonders how effective this industry can be, if the product can’t even be taken across the border of our neighbours to the south.
She said she will never buy a seal product again, knowing the restrictions placed upon them. However, she will not change her view on the hunt itself.
Fitzgerald said she loves fur products in general. She also said she opposed the nature of the seal hunt before restrictions and regulations were opposed upon the hunters.
“I have to be honest though,” she said. “I wouldn’t promote this now.”