Evidence of meeting #52 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was groups.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Oceans Science Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I'll start by saying that, generally, it was one of the purposes of the act and, as I've mentioned before, the amendments, to enable agreements with people who care about fisheries protection, who care about conservation, and who are working towards that. Certainly there are many such groups.
With respect to the specific initiative you're talking about, I'll ask Mr. Balfour to make some further comments.
David Balfour Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Fisheries Management Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The department has sent out notices to fishers and letters to fish harvesters around gearing up for the new regime for fishing gear tags. We would agree that the use of tags on lobster traps is an important conservation measure, and that will be continuing.
What we're in the midst of doing is providing protocols to fish harvesters and their organizations around how to acquire tags in the future, because the department will not be paying for and providing tags in the future. It's going to be the responsibility of fish harvesters to acquire their own tags. The protocols will provide for people who want to get into being suppliers of tags—they could be fishermen's organizations or others—on what the specifications for those tags will be, and what kind of a tag management regime those suppliers will have to have in place in order for the department to certify them as tag suppliers.
That's a regime that will be in place for all fisheries that require tags, commencing after April 1.
Liberal
Lawrence MacAulay Liberal Cardigan, PE
Do you believe that tags on traps is one of the best conservation methods in place?
I guess it's difficult to ask you this, but why would the federal government be relieving itself of the duties of handling one of the most important conservation programs that exist in an excellent fishery on the east coast of this country? What was the rationale to change this direction?
November 6th, 2012 / 10:25 a.m.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston
I appreciate Mr. MacAulay's inquiry; however, this committee is charged with studying clauses 173 to 178.
I think that's way outside the scope, Mr. MacAulay.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston
I appreciate that, Mr. MacAulay.
At this time, I would like to thank our witnesses for being here today and for taking the time to answer our questions with respect to clauses 173 to 178 of Bill C-45. We appreciate the input you've provided us today.
At this time, we will suspend for a brief moment and will move in camera to discuss our next steps with this study.
[Proceedings continue in camera]