Implement pinniped management program
Petitioners ask the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to implement a pinniped management program with local and Indigenous collaboration to control seal and sea lion populations and conserve Chinook and Coho salmon. The government responds it is researching pinniped populations and diets, applies precautionary management under regulations, and notes uncertainty about pinniped impacts on salmon.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would directly target pinniped numbers, which petitioners say would reduce predation pressure on Chinook and Coho and aid salmon recovery.
- Collaboration with local and Indigenous communities could ensure culturally appropriate, regulated harvests and use of local knowledge in management.
- A formal program would create accountable monitoring and review mechanisms to adaptively manage pinniped populations and fisheries interactions.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The government reports scientific uncertainty about pinniped impacts on salmon; action based on unclear evidence risks ineffective or harmful interventions.
- Pinnipeds are protected under existing regulations and species laws, so management may face legal, ethical and procedural constraints.
- Salmon declines have multiple causes; focusing on pinnipeds could divert resources from other, potentially more effective conservation measures.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE Minister of Fisheries and Oceans WHEREAS • Seals and sea lions are far more abundant today than at any time in the last several millennia, when First Nations harvesting kept populations in balance. • Pinnipeds now consume more fish than all commercial fisheries and aquaculture combined. • UBC's Murdoch McAllister reports that sea lions consume over 300,000 tonnes of fish annually, more than all commercial fisheries combined. • Harbour seals in B.C. consume roughly 70,000 tonnes of fish per year (about 2 kg per seal per day). • In the Georgia Strait, seals have severely reduced early marine survival of young Chinook and Coho, cutting the number of mature returning fish by up to 80%. • Reducing seal numbers is a critical management program with the potential benefits far outweighing the possible costs. WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, Residents of British Columbia, CALL UPON THE Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to collaborate with locals and Indigenous Peoples to implement a pinniped management program to control the growing pinniped population and assist in conservation of Chinook and Coho salmon in British Columbia.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Fisheries Signed by Ernie Klassen Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to supporting sustainable, stable, and prosperous fisheries informed by science and evidence-based decision making. The current abundance of pinniped (seal and sea lion) species on the west coast of Canada is believed to have largely recovered to historic levels, following depletion by over-hunting and targeted cull programs prior to receiving statutory protections in 1970. Pinnipeds continue to be protected and managed under the Marine Mammal Regulations, pursuant to the Fisheries Act, and depending on the species (such as Steller sea lion), can also fall under the purview of the Species at Risk Act. In British Columbia, the current approach to pinniped management focuses on a sustainable, well-regulated and humane harvest by Indigenous Peoples for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. The protection of biodiversity and fish stocks is a priority for our government and we continue to put in place significant measures to support the sustainability of our oceans. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is aware of the concerns that pinnipeds are affecting the abundance of fish, such as salmon, due to predation. It is important to recognize there are many factors which can contribute to declines or lack of recovery of fish stocks. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is conducting research on the population dynamics and diets of pinnipeds to better understand pinniped-salmon interactions. This work includes updating population assessments (including trends and current status) for Pacific Harbour seal, Steller sea lion, and California sea lion. Satellite-tagging studies are being undertaken to increase the accuracy of the assessment by developing a better estimate for those animals not visible during surveys, as well as understanding foraging and distribution patterns. The Department is also analyzing samples to better understand diet composition for these three species, in addition to biopsy analysis. These complementary means of diet estimation provide a more comprehensive picture of pinniped diet. The results of these studies demonstrate a high degree of scientific uncertainty regarding the extent of predation impact of pinnipeds on fish stocks compared to that of other predators. Recent Fisheries and Oceans Canada-led research has demonstrated that the amount of salmon consumed by harbour seals is dependent on season and location and is estimated to be far less than indicated in previous publications. Based on scat sample analysis, Pacific hake, Pacific herring, and walleye pollock accounted for over 63 per cent of pinniped diet composition while salmonids (all species) accounted for less than 3 per cent of the diet composition. The Department applies the precautionary approach to guide its management decisions, integrating the best available information, including peer-reviewed science, and Indigenous knowledge. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a robust science program and Departmental scientists are continuously improving our understanding of seal and sea lion populations and their roles in marine ecosystems in support of policy and management decisions.