NR-HQ-00-20E

Dhaliwal announces members of eminent Panel on Seal Management

May 11, 2000

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, today appointed three members to the Eminent Panel on Seal Management. The chair of the panel, Dr. Ian Mclaren of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, was appointed on April 11, 2000.

"The wealth of expertise and experience that these individuals will bring to the work of the Panel will be invaluable, and will ensure a balanced review of the scientific information available in this field," said Mr. Dhaliwal. "I am particularly pleased with the international representation on this Panel and look forward to its report this fall."

Appointed are Dr. John Harwood, Mr. David Vardy and Dr. Solange Brault.

Dr. Harwood is a scientist at the Sea Mammal Research Unit of the University of
St. Andrews, United Kingdom.

Mr. David Vardy is currently the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Newfoundland.

Dr. Solange Brault is Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

The appointment of these members completes the independent Panel, which was created to evaluate the current state of scientific knowledge of the seal populations in Atlantic Canada and to provide advice on a long-term strategy for their management. As part of its mandate, the Panel will also develop a strategic harvesting plan for seal populations over a five-year period.

The Panel is expected to issue its report by the fall of 2000, in order for DFO to consider its advice in the development of the seal management plan for 2001.