Cohen Commission releases schedule for fall evidentiary hearings

VANCOUVER, Aug. 6 /CNW/ - The Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River has released its plan for evidentiary hearings beginning on October 25th, 2010, including the list of topics to be investigated in the fall of 2010 and the intended dates for hearing each topic. The full plan for fall hearings is available at www.cohencommission.ca.

"We have an ambitious hearings schedule that should allow us to investigate the causes for decline of Fraser River sockeye," said Brian Wallace, senior commission counsel for the Cohen Commission. "We have set out this schedule based on what we have gathered to date in our document review, interviews and hearing preparation."

Evidentiary hearings will begin Monday, October 25 through mid- December, and will continue in the new year. Hearings will run Mondays through Fridays and are scheduled from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2-4 pm each day. Hearings are open to the public and will be held at the Federal Court at 701 West Georgia Street, 8th floor. Media recording or broadcasting of the hearings may be allowed with advance arrangements. To discuss, contact Carla Shore at 604-658-3646 or [email protected].

The opening week of hearings will include a presentation on the Fraser sockeye life cycle, followed by evidence about perspectives on conservation, sustainability and stewardship, and submissions on Aboriginal law as it relates to the sockeye fishery. After that, evidence will be presented on the organizational structure of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Pacific Salmon Commission and management of the sockeye salmon fishery.

    
    About the Cohen Commission
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The Cohen Commission (www.cohencommission.ca) 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 future 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.

For further information: Media Contact: Carla S. Shore, Communications Director, Cohen Commission of Inquiry, Phone: [phone], Cell: 604-329-0975, Email: [email protected]