Canadian chefs fight against Chefs for Seals boycott

Some chefs are taking exception to the Chefs for Seals campaign, that is asking for a boycott of Canadian seafood in protest of the seal hunt.

The Humane Society of the United States says it has signed up about 40 American chefs. The boycott demands the seal hunt be stopped.

But earlier this week, well-known American TV chef and author Anthony Bourdain, said boycotting Canadian seafood in order to protect seals was a ridiculous idea. P.E.I. chef and author Michael Smith is adding his voice against the campaign.

"I'm part of a growing chorus of chefs and food voices here in Canada that are taking great exception with the boycott," said Smith.

"This is not a fair boycott. It is not fair to link our fishermen and their fisheries to the seals. It's just not the same."

Smith said when influential people in the United States step up and make what he calls "wildly misinformed claims" he's not going to sit back and be silent. Hard working fishermen in Atlantic Canada could be hurt by this, he said.

Smith has taken to Twitter to say the boycott is unfair, and is targeting some of the American chefs taking part.

At least one chef appears to be listening. Two star Michelin chef Daniel Patterson of Coi in San Francisco tweeted on Wednesday asking the HSUS to take him off the boycott list. Patterson said the issue is complicated, and he did not know enough to form an opinion.