Fisheries Committee on Oct. 18th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Yes. It's a work in progress, but what we have here at this point in time is:

That, the Committee undertake a study on closed containment, including evidence from the previous Parliament....

The discussion that we're having right now is whether it's in the Pacific region or if it is for the entire country.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

You dropped “aquaculture”? You just said “closed containment”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Sorry, did I? Yes, I guess Georges has that highlighted there.

We really don't have a motion at this point in time. It's a work in progress.

That, the Committee undertake a study on closed containment aquaculture, including evidence from the previous Parliament....

Then it goes on beyond that.

Mr. Kamp.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

We would, I think, support the motion as it was currently read.

One definition of closed containment is any system of fish production that creates a controlled interface between the fish and the natural environment. It's defined in various ways. As we've seen in the study, there are different views on just how controlled, whether it's on land or in water, or whether it's recirculating with fresh water or salt water.

To Ryan's earlier point, the committee did go to this one outside Campbell River to look at it before it was actually in production. It would probably be instructive to see it in production, if we could justify that travel, and maybe see something else out there.

Closed containment is a concept rather than a geographically specific thing, so I think to put in closed containment in the Pacific region or anywhere doesn't make a lot of sense. I think we should just leave it broad like that. As Mike said, and as Kristen said in one of the points, if the Cohen commission, for example, finds there is a need for a more controlled interface between the wild and the farmed fish, then it would be good for us to be able to know if the technology is there and so on. I think we would have made a good contribution to that whole discussion that's taking place in British Columbia at the moment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Mr. Cleary, does that satisfy you, the definition that Mr. Kamp read to the committee?

[Ryan Cleary, NDP, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

It does. The reason I had a question about it was because we have salmon and trout farming off the south coast of Newfoundland, and the type of farming we have has been described as closed containment, in that the salmon or the trout don't interact with wild species. But some people say this is not actually closed containment because the tide washes through the sea cages. So I was just looking for a more....

I understand what Randy just said, yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I will just point out that aquaculture, that form of fish farming, is usually referred to as open net aquaculture. We're quite familiar with the fish farming on the south coast of Newfoundland.

Closed containment is generally referring to something that's in a tub almost, if you want. It's isolated. Randy's definition is more technical in nature.

Are there any other comments?

The motion we have right now, the work in progress, I should say, is:

That, the Committee undertake a study on closed containment aquaculture, including evidence from the previous Parliament, pursuant to the motion agreed to on Thursday, June 23, 2011, and that the Library of Parliament analyst prepare a work plan for this study, for the next eight weeks.

Questions?

Ms. Davidson.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

What's the motion you're referring to here, the June 23rd motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

That's to bring the evidence forward from the previous Parliament.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Okay. All right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Mr. Donnelly.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

I think with the change, losing the Pacific region--essentially the indication is that you're talking about salmon--could we consider adding the words, “undertake a study on closed containment salmon aquaculture”?

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

That wasn't read out. That was one word that was missing. I agree with you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

All right. Do we want to try again?

The motion is:

That, the Committee undertake a study on closed containment salmon aquaculture, including evidence from the previous Parliament, pursuant to the motion agreed to on Thursday, June 23, 2011, and that the Library of Parliament analyst prepare a work plan for this study, for the next eight weeks.

Any other questions, concerns, or comments?

So moved by Mr. Donnelly.

(Motion agreed to)

We'll take a few minutes here while we go in camera. Just take a break and talk amongst yourselves.

[Proceedings continue in camera]