Question Period Note: Seal predation

Is seal predation having an impact on Canada’s commercial fish stocks and how is the Government addressing the issue?

• DFO scientists are actively involved in research to better understand the role of pinnipeds in marine ecosystems, including the potential impacts of seals on commercial fish stocks.
• We will be hosting a Seal Summit this fall to engage scientists, the commercial fishing industry, Indigenous groups, provincial and territorial representatives, and stakeholders on market development solutions.

• 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.

• My Department has documented impacts of grey seals on fish stocks in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. However their research has largely found that seal predation is a less important factor in fish stock declines in other areas.
• 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.