Evidence of meeting #25 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was boat.
Conservative
Randy Kamp Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC
Yes, and we need to hear it, so I thank you for that.
We also need to figure out what's going on and why, for example, you got the letter and somebody who might be in a similar situation didn't. But we don't know the answer to that at this point, so we need to go back and try to find that out.
Thank you very much.
Bloc
Raynald Blais Bloc Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Mr. Vigneau, if you have a copy of that letter, you can table it to the committee.
Member, Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, As an Individual
In fact, I've already sent a copy of that letter to Ms. Landry, representative of the Fédération des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec, so they, as well as people from Transport Canada, are aware of the situation once they begin the tour. I am not the only one who received that letter; several harvesters received the same letter. A committee struck within the Fédération des pêcheurs semi-hauturiers du Québec are working on this issue. They should also be made aware of this document.
Bloc
Raynald Blais Bloc Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
Very well, but would it be possible to hand us a copy as well?
Member, Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, As an Individual
I will have to go to the federation and ask if they can make a copy. I will do what has to be done.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerald Keddy
Thank you very much.
The issue with the stability test, gentlemen, is one where there has been a fair amount of frustration. I asked François, our researcher, to check on this, but my understanding is that there was a meeting held by Transport Canada in Rimouski—I think that was discussed when I was out of the room—but I don't think the transport committee has really studied this issue. This is just an opportunity for us to educate ourselves.
I have one final question on boat length requirements, though. Are you restricted by your boat length in the lobster fishery? First of all, how many traps or how many pots do you set, and what are your boat lengths?
Mario, go ahead.
President, Association des pêcheurs propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
As I was saying earlier, our boats measure 45 feet or less, but the Act applies to boats that measure 50 feet or less. One cannot harvest lobsters with a boat longer than 50 feet. The regulation applies to boats measuring 50 feet or less. In the past, we had 300 traps. We have reduced the size and the number of our traps in order to preserve the lobsters, which was not done anywhere else on the entire East Coast of Canada. We had a certain number of traps, but we made them smaller. The mandatory measurements are 24 inches by 32 inches. In the past, the traps were 48 inches, but we have made them smaller. We were once entitled to 300 traps, but we have reduced that number by 3 traps per year for 10 years. The situation will be reassessed in 5 years, but this may last 10 years. In 2006, we set 297 traps; and in 2007, we will set 294.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerald Keddy
Thank you.
I think your 45-foot class for your boats is actually 44 feet, 11 inches. Is that in the water or is there an addition out of the water?
President, Association des pêcheurs propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
No. Most boats cannot be longer than that, but not all the boats are 45 feet or less in length. One is 35 feet long or less. Many are 40 feet long or more precisely 39 feet 11 inches. Some are 37 or 38 feet long, up to 45 feet. I would say that the average would be about 40 feet. Nothing remains boxed up. Lengtheners and breasthooks are unusual although we see many in the Maritimes or in Nova Scotia. The Magdalen Islands have not yet adopted these practices.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerald Keddy
Thank you very much.
I'd like to take a moment to thank our witnesses for appearing. It has been an interesting and informative session. You'll appreciate that we can't answer all of your questions, but we certainly have learned from our stop here in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. We have enjoyed it very much, and I will say that a number of us will be coming back.
Thank you very much. We're adjourned.