Thank you.
DFO recently provided the committee with written responses to questions raised in another meeting. DFO's response stated, and I quote:
The current harbour seal population is in line with historic population norms, after depletion by overhunting prior to receiving statutory protection in 1970.
Steller sea lion populations in BC waters have increased by approximately 4-fold since surveys began in the early 1970s.
Do you agree with this statement and the numbers?