Senior scientist quits Cohen Commission panel
Salmon specialist has chosen to be a witness instead
Ian Bailey
July 7th, 2010
Globe and Mail
One of six members of a science advisory panel for a federal inquiry into declining Fraser River sockeye salmon stocks has quit so he can be a witness at the probe.
Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Vancouver-based Pacific Salmon Foundation, which works to improve salmon habitat and enhance salmon populations, spotlighted the witness issue in a statement on Wednesday that constituted his only comment on his resignation.
Through a spokesman at the foundation, Mr. Riddell declined an interview request to elaborate on his statement.
He said he agreed to serve on the panel of the inquiry out of a commitment to studying and sustaining Pacific salmon, “with my initial understanding that panel members could also be called as witnesses.
“However, that understanding has now changed. The commission policy is now that panel members cannot be called as witnesses.”
Carla Shore, a spokeswoman for the inquiry, said it's “highly likely” Mr. Riddell will be called as a witness, and noted that he had made a “helpful” contribution, to date, to the inquiry process.
If other members of the panel are to be called as witnesses, they will be asked to step down, she said.
Read the full story in the Globe and Mail.
Read related stories in the:
- Vancouver Sun; July 8th, 2010; "Fisheries Scientist leaves salmon inquiry"
- Vancouver Sun; July 7th, 2010; "Former federal fisheries scientist resigns from Cohen commission of inquiry into Fraser salmon"
- Nanaimo Bulletin; July 7th, 2010; "Salmon expert resigns as Cohen Commission adviser"
Posted July 7th, 2010
