Evidence of meeting #55 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 chairman.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chair, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
Indeed.
Everything is going up. And last year the snow crab fishermen had $1 a pound, but the diesel was up, the ice was up, and they still had to pay everything that I mentioned to you. Those prices don't go down; they still go up.
So we completely agree that the industry is in danger because of the resources and because of the globalization too.
Conservative
James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC
Mr. Savoie, what is the current price then of crab? Is it still around $1, or is it more now?
Chair, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
This year....
member, Captain, Traditional Crab Boat, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
It is about $2. It ranges between $2 and $2.25. It goes up and it goes down. There are price wars, and we don't know how long that will last.
Chair, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
Thank you, sir.
Bloc
The Vice-Chair Bloc Raynald Blais
I have no other names on my list, but if someone wants to speak, I invite him to let me know right away. Otherwise, I will give the last word to Mr. Savoie's group.
Mr. Savoie, I will give you a few minutes to wrap up.
Chair, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
Fine. I will stand up.
Chair, Acadian Peninsula Traditional Crab Fishermen's Coalition Committee
Thank you, Mr. Asselin.
I would like to thank you all very sincerely for having invited us, having listened to us and having heard us. We hope that you will consider our case and that we will receive some encouraging responses in the not too distant future. I also want to thank each of the members present here, as well as Mr. Blais and Ms. Burke, who helped me a great deal.
Gentlemen, on behalf of the CCCTPA, thank you very much.
Bloc
Bloc
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Monsieur Chairman, I asked a question that I got from the research department regarding the management plan for the crab season. The question was asked whether it had been released yet, and the individual said that it was. When I asked the researcher, he said he hadn't seen it yet. I'd just like François to be able to clarify that question that was on our sheet for the crab.
François Côté Committee Researcher
Monsieur Savoie just handed me a management plan dated April 25, 2007, so obviously he has a copy of the management plan, but we were not able to access this information where it should be, online on the website of the department.
Committee Researcher
That's why the question was formulated the way you read it from the briefing note, but we'll discuss it with the parliamentary liaison officer at DFO and we'll try to clarify the situation.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Thank you very much.
We've now heard one side of this issue. There are other people in the snow crab fishery, and I hope this committee makes sure we hear from the other side too. I think it's vitally important.
Bloc
The Vice-Chair Bloc Raynald Blais
Thank you, Mr. MacAulay. I imagine that we will have an opportunity to discuss that in the next few hours or in the days to come.
From what I understand, Mr. Murray is now available.
Mr. MacAulay.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
I just want to make sure that this point is dealt with when we have the first management meeting of this committee. I think it's only fair and proper that this committee hears from other people involved in the snow crab fishery.
