Fisheries committee  That would be a safe assumption, yes.

Fisheries committee  I think it's certainly important to remove that snapshot-type science. Traditionally when there's open water you're doing research, but the ice in between the seasons is so critical and probably more productive than just open water. If you involve programs that involve communities, research teams, commercial groups, where you have year-round, and not just one month a year, you get a better picture of what's really happening.

Fisheries committee  We are what we eat. For some reason, the seals are not as big, as fat, as what they used to be. In some areas the seals are mainly focusing on shrimp. It's like eating popcorn. The shrimp are not as nutritious and not as fatty, so the seals don't have that energy. Literally, when the hunters are hunting them, the seals are sinking.

Fisheries committee  That's a good question. I don't think we have enough research to understand what that is. That's when you have to look at the ecosystem totally, and look at fish migration, food sources and changes in water temperature. Global warming and rising water temperatures, we know these are happening faster in the Arctic.

Fisheries committee  We are not research scientists, but we work closely with the communities and we listen to the hunters and trappers. Often what we see is that you are what you eat. Hunters are seeing different types of fish being replaced by shrimp and the size of the seals is different. They are sinking when they are supposed to be floating when they are hunted.

Fisheries committee  The Arctic Research Foundation is deeply rooted in working with communities in the north. We have six research vessels that are stationed throughout the Arctic. We rely closely on the communities in developing research programs, whether it's supporting DFO researchers in the region or universities.

Fisheries committee  Good day, Mr. Chair and honourable members of the committee. We would like to start by thanking you for this opportunity to speak on the important issue of ecosystem impacts and management of pinniped populations in Canada. The Arctic Research Foundation is a non-profit charity that enables and catalyzes community-led science and infrastructure projects in Canada.