Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today.
My name is William, or Bill, Otway. You have my background in the brief previously submitted.
I'd like to advise you, with pleasure, that the Shuswap regional association of the B.C. Wildlife Federation has voiced its support for the proposal I'm putting forward. We all believe that one of the very best investments our government could make with taxpayers' money is to invest in the revitalization of the Pacific salmonid enhancement program, or SEP. Such an investment would provide the opportunity for increased economic benefits and additional long-term sustainable employment for thousands of Canadians. Despite continuing efforts to restrict this operation, SEP has been a success. It contributes significantly to our salmon production and has provided a buffer for our fisheries in light of continuing decline in the production of wild salmon stocks. The program is responsible for something in the order of 40% of the economic benefits and jobs our fisheries produce. It has the potential, with some rational investment, to expand those benefits in a major way.
The public fishery in British Columbia plays a major role in the economic well-being of both B.C. and Canada. The wholesale value of the commercial public fishery in 2005 was $793 million and it contributed 5,700 jobs. At the same time, the recreational fishery generated $1.4 billion and 7,700 jobs to our economy. Simply put, the public fishery in British Columbia generates in excess of $2.1 billion annually and 13,500 jobs. There is no reason, given a rational revitalization plan for SEP, that these benefits cannot be doubled over time.
The committee is no doubt aware of the problems experienced here in B.C. this past year with our Skeena and Fraser sockeye. What the committee may not understand is that the failure of those salmon runs meant a minimum loss of $125 million to our economy and the associated jobs. Bringing SEP to full and expanded production could have compensated for some of those losses with production of other species and retained the lost economic benefits and jobs. A review of the 2007 report to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Salmon in Sight, will show that a planned revitalization of SEP also provides the opportunity to produce green power.
Our recommendations are as follows.
One, dedicate $200 million to the DFO Pacific region over the next six years to create an expanded and revitalized SEP program and to develop a salmon master plan.
Two, stipulate that the funds dedicated to this program will be under the control of the Pacific region of DFO and not the deputy minister or the Ottawa mandarins. Moreover, it must be stipulated that these earmarked funds cannot be hived off for any other use within DFO.
Three, require the establishment of an advisory body composed of representatives of all stakeholders to work with and advise DFO Pacific region on the best projects to undertake. This body would also review all science-proposed projects and make recommendations on their viability in achieving the goals of the expanded SEP.
Thank you.