Question Period Note: Atlantic Seal Science Task Team

Atlantic Seal Science Task Team

• The sustainable management of Canadian fisheries is important to coastal and Indigenous communities whose livelihoods are supported by the ocean.
• We understand the concerns of harvesters regarding seal predation on fish stocks and that is why we committed the creation of a Task Team on Atlantic seal science to help better understand the impact of seal populations on their ecosystem.
• The Task Team will include fish harvester groups and other stakeholders; this initiative will help strengthen the science basis for decision making.

Background
• The sustainable management of Canadian fisheries is important to fish harvesters whose livelihoods are supported by the ocean. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) ensures that the best available science is considered when making management decisions regarding seals.
• In Atlantic Canada, all seal populations are believed to be healthy and abundant. Two species (harp and grey seals) are hunted commercially and have therefore been the focus of DFO’s seal research program over the last number of decades.
• While there is evidence that grey seals are impacting commercial groundfish stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (4T stock only), there is very limited evidence that harp seals are impacting commercial fish stocks.
• However, DFO has heard concerns from fish harvesters related to seal predation on commercial fish stocks. To address these concerns, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced in August 2019 the establishment of an Atlantic Seal Science Task Team.
• The Task Team will be composed of members from the fishing industry and other stakeholders and will provide input on DFO's Atlantic seal science program, particularly as it relates to seal predation on commercial fish stocks, and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
• The specific objectives of the Task Team will be to:
o Provide input on DFO's Atlantic seal science program priorities;
o Examine the application of technology advancements to seal research; and
o Provide advice on how DFO could better communicate its scientific findings to the fishing industry.
• The Task Team will focus only on science activities and programs related to Atlantic seals. The Task Team is distinct from DFO's existing Atlantic Seal Advisory Committee (ASAC) which already provides stakeholders and Indigenous partners with the opportunity to make recommendations to DFO's Minister on seal management issues, including licensing policy, management measures, quota allocations, as well as conservation and compliance issues.
• The Task Team will be co-chaired by a DFO official and Mr. Glenn Blackwood, vice-president of the Memorial University Fisheries and Marine Institute.

None