Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you once again to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans for the opportunity for the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association to present on the important topic of mitigation strategies for the North Atlantic right whale.
My name is Ian MacPherson, I am the Executive Director of the PEIFA. Today I am joined by our Marine Biologist and Program Planner, Melanie Griffin. Ms. Griffin has headed up this important file for the PEIFA and has an in-depth knowledge of our suggested strategies.
We would like to give a brief recap of what the PEIFA is advocating on this file, and discuss 12 specific recommendations we have made, not only to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but also put forward at the recent minister's round table on North American right whales held last week in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Jonathan Wilkinson stated last week that we need to come up with protocols that promote a coexistence of the fishing industry and the preservation of the North Atlantic right whale population.
The PEIFA has treated this issue very seriously, as right whale deaths were reported in 2017. Our focus was to provide our members with current and factual information. In April 2017, the PEIFA formed a new North Atlantic right whale multispecies working group to focus on this issue.
Presentations to our committee have included DFO, and renowned right whale expert Dr. Moira Brown. Dr. Brown's presentation helped us better understand the behavioural characteristics of these magnificent mammals.
We would like to note that the fishing sector has been getting much of the focus in mitigation strategies. It is equally important that the shipping sector also provide solutions, as the majority of the 2017 deaths were caused by blunt force related to large vessels.
In concluding my opening remarks, I would also like to express our disappointment that the lobster industry will not be appropriately represented at the upcoming National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee. This committee will be discussing the risk of interactions with fish gear and collisions with vessels. It is our understanding that three representatives of the snow crab industry will be in attendance.
The primary reasons given as to why we could not participate was that the committee had been pre-selected, and the meeting room was at capacity and increasing the size of the room would create logistical issues.
I will now ask Melanie Griffin to briefly cover off our 12 recommendations.
We would then be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have.