Question Period Note: Seal predation

• Our scientists continue to do research on the potential impacts of seals on fish stocks as well as the ecosystem factors that may influence their levels of abundance.
• Sustaining healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems is a priority for this government and we rely on the best available science when making management decisions.

If pressed on impacts to snow crab
• The Department’s research has concluded that fishing, environmental conditions and mortality from finfish predation 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 shown 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.

• DFO manages commercial harvests for grey and harp seals in the Atlantic region.
• There is concern from the fishing industry on both coasts about 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, and DFO has invested in a new research program on the West Coast where it is working with partners on the potential impacts of seals and sea lions on fish populations.
• Science evidence to date suggests that grey seals are having an impact on the recovery of cod and potentially other groundfish in the Southern Gulf of St Lawrence. DFO’s research has not shown that seal predation is a significant driver of Northern cod abundance.
• Harp seals are the most abundant seal species in the Newfoundland region. Grey seals are also present in the southern part of the NL (3Ps), but its abundance is much lower. Other seal species present in the region include harbour seal, ringed seal, bearded seal, and hooded seals. Their abundances are believed to be much lower than harp seals, but recent population estimates are not available.
• Most harp seal feeding occurs in the offshore. Main prey are capelin, shrimp, and sandlance. In the inshore areas herring, Arctic cod, and Atlantic cod are also important prey. DFO continues to acquire information on seal diet around Newfoundland, including from offshore areas.
Snow Crab
• In early March, 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 issues a press release calling for a halt to the capelin fishery in Newfoundland due to a lack of recovery for the 2J3KL stock. DFO is reviewing the status of this population in a CSAS peer review meeting March 9-12, 2021.
• 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. Low harvest rates have not been an inhibiting factor on the growth of harp, grey or hooded seal populations.
• Commercial harvest levels are driven by market demand for seal products. Industry continues to be constrained by a lack of markets. Departmental resources have focussed on efforts to maintain and access new markets for seals. One notable example of the support is the CMAPS program which ran from 2015 to 2020. It provided $1.5 million in funding to 23 projects to build capacity and improve market access for seal products.
• 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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