Cohen Commission Issues Statement About Dealing With New Virus Reports

November 4, 2023

(Vancouver) Brian Wallace, senior commission counsel for the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River issued the following statement today:

“Testing of samples of Pacific salmon from two areas of the province has indicated the possible presence of the Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) virus in several Pacific salmon. The commission has been advised that further results will be available in about one month. We have requested disclosure of documents related to these fish and the current testing.

The commission plans to convene a two-day hearing in mid-December to put new information about the possible presence of the ISA virus in BC on the commission’s record. Further details, including any witnesses or exhibits for those days of hearings, will be released later.”

Final submissions continue today through November 10 from 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2-4 pm in the 12th floor hearing room
of the BC Securities Commission, 701 West Georgia Street. These hearings will also be audiocast in both English and French at cohencommission.ca. Media recording or broadcasting of the hearings may be allowed with advance arrangements. To discuss, contact Carla Shore at or .

About the Cohen Commission

The Cohen Commission (cohencommission.ca) was established on November 5, 2023 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. The commission’s final report must be submitted on or before June 30, 2012.

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Media Contact:

Carla S. Shore

Communications Director, Cohen Commission of Inquiry

Phone: , Cell:

Email: