Question Period Note: Seal predation

Seal predation

My Department ensures that the best available science is considered when making seal related management decisions with the goal of sustaining healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

In Atlantic Canada, DFO has documented the impact of grey seals on commercially valuable fish stocks in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In British Columbia, DFO is working with partners to conduct more research to evaluate the impact of seal and sea lion predation on fish stocks, including Pacific salmon.

If pressed on impacts to snow crab
The Department’s research has demonstrated that fishing and environmental conditions are believed to be the biggest factors affecting the status of snow crab in Newfoundland.

If pressed on impacts to capelin
Although predators, including seals, can consume a lot of capelin, my Department’s research has found that capelin abundance in Newfoundland is driven largely by environmental factors.

If pressed on the seal hunt
Our government supports a sustainable seal harvest in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Removals have been low in recent years but we will continue to work to promote improved market opportunities for Canadian seal products.

If pressed on spring herring
Herring is a vital species in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and is an important part of the food web for other fish, seals, cetaceans, and seabirds.

Predation, changes in environmental conditions, fishing pressure and a decline in their main food source are various factors which have likely contributed to the decline of Atlantic herring.

DFO is conducting research on grey seal diet to better understand potential impacts of grey seal predation on commercially valuable fish stocks.

If pressed on Atlantic mackerel
Atlantic mackerel is an important part of the food web; it is prey for many species, including seals, gannets, tuna and Atlantic cod.

At present there is no evidence to suggest that seal predation is a leading cause of mortality for Atlantic mackerel, whereas fishing has been scientifically identified as having a significant influence on stock status.

• Currently, DFO manages commercial harvests for grey and harp seals in the Atlantic region; there are currently no fisheries for seals or sea lions in the Pacific region.
• There is concern from the fishing industry on both the east and west coast regarding the potential impacts of seal and sea lion predation on commercially valuable fish stocks. Substantial scientific research has been conducted over the last several decades regarding the potential impacts of seals on fish stocks in the Atlantic region. The Department has invested in a new research program on the West Coast and is working with partners on the potential impacts of seals and sea lions on fish populations.
• Scientific evidence to date suggests that grey seals are having an impact on the recovery of cod and other groundfish in the Southern Gulf of St Lawrence. Conversely, there is no scientific evidence to date to demonstrate that harp seals are significantly impacting commercially valuable fish stock off the coast of Newfoundland. The impact of Pacific seals or sea lions on commercially important fish stocks on the west coast of Canada has not been evaluated and is currently unknown.
• The Department uses the best available scientific information to make appropriate seal related management decisions.

Snow Crab
• In early March 2021, six seals were harvested off the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, and their stomachs were found to contain Snow crab. These seals are believed to have been Bearded seals, an Arctic species that is relatively uncommon in Newfoundland and Labrador waters.
• It is common for bearded seal stomach to contain crab; Bearded seals are known to eat crab along with other species found on the ocean bottom.
• DFO’s research has concluded that fishing, environmental conditions and mortality from finfish predation are believed to be the greatest factors affecting the status of Snow crab in Newfoundland.
• Research indicates that the major predators of Snow crab in Newfoundland and Labrador waters are Atlantic cod and Thorny skate.

Capelin
• On March 9, 2020, the World Wildlife Fund issued a press release calling for a halt to the capelin fishery in Newfoundland due to a lack of recovery for the 2J3KL stock. This stock was last assessed by DFO in a CSAS peer review meeting on March 9-12, 2021. Based on all available evidence, Capelin abundance continues to remain very low with reduced productivity.
• Capelin are a key prey species in the Newfoundland and Labrador marine ecosystem. Capelin, like other forage species including shrimp, are consumed by a large suite of species, including many fish and marine mammals, including cetaceans.
• Predators, including seals, consume capelin, but that consumption does not appear to be limiting this capelin stock. DFO’s work has shown that capelin population dynamics are largely explained by variations in environmental factors.

Seal Hunt
• The current seal management strategy works to ensure the sustainability of Atlantic seal populations above a precautionary reference level and does not have a goal of reducing seal populations.
• Only a small fraction of previous seal Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels have been harvested in recent years. TACs from the 2016 seal harvest, which were the last established by the Department, were as follows: 400 000 harps seals, 60 000 grey seal, and 8 200 hooded seals.
• There is currently no quota assigned for harp, grey or hooded seals. However, these fisheries are closely monitored to ensure landings respect the most recent science advice. Should this situation change, additional management action will be considered.

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