Cohen Commission appoints six eminent fisheries experts to Scientific
Advisory Panel

VANCOUVER, April 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River today announced the appointment of six prominent fisheries experts to provide independent scientific advice to the Commission's fisheries research program.

"The members of our Scientific Advisory Panel are widely respected experts in their fields with impeccable credentials whose expertise will be valuable in our examination of the decline of Fraser River sockeye," said Brian Wallace, Senior Commission Counsel. "The panel will offer important advice to the Commission's science research team, which is led by Dr. David Levy, a salmon biologist with over 30 years of experience working in the Fraser watershed."

The Cohen Commission's Scientific Advisory Panel is made up of Dr. Carl Walters of the UBC Fisheries Centre, Dr. Brian Riddell of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, ocean scientist Dr. Paul LeBlond, Dr. John Reynolds of Simon Fraser University, Dr. Patricia Gallaugher who is Director of SFU's Centre for Coastal Studies, and Dr. Thomas Quinn of the University of Washington. Further information on the Panel's science backgrounds is available at www.cohencommission.ca.

The Cohen Commission was established on November 5, 2009 with the appointment of the Honourable Bruce Cohen as Commissioner. Under its Terms of Reference, the commission will hold hearings to investigate and report on the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River. Based on its findings, the commission will make recommendations for improving the sustainability of the sockeye salmon fishery in the Fraser River, including, as required, any changes to the policies, practices and procedures of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in relation to the management of the Fraser River sockeye salmon fishery.

The Commission is now accepting public submissions on relevant issues through its website. For more information or to make a submissions, visit www.cohencommission.ca.

Backgrounder available (http://cohencommission.ca/en/WhatsNew.php): Biographies of members of Scientific Advisory Panel

For further information: Media Contact: Carla S. Shore, Communications Director, Cohen Commission of Inquiry, Phone: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]