Evidence of meeting #129 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was quota.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Doing it himself means acquiring that licence, which is.... Is that what you're suggesting?
General Manager, Grand Hale Marine Products Co., Ltd
Yes. In that case, he didn't come to us for financing. He just started his own and asked us to buy. We agreed because we knew he was a good diver.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Okay.
Ms. Burridge, I think you've already answered this in a previous question, but here's sort of a similar question. I'm just picking up on Mr. Rogers' questions about the licence. Do you think the current licence system is working for young entrants in B.C.?
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
I think it's certainly harder for young entrants than people who are already in the industry who have assets that they can raise money on. I don't think that is unique to B.C. I think you see exactly the same problems in Alaska, in Atlantic Canada and in rural coastal communities everywhere else.
In fact, I think it's really hard for young people to find good jobs almost anywhere, so fishing is not unique. That's not to say we don't have some problems that we need to address, Mr. Donnelly.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Sure.
I think you made a suggestion about a loans program.
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
We see that as being part of the mix because, clearly, one of the problems is that licences are expensive. I'll use the example of, say, a million-dollar lobster licence. If you can raise that 5% from family, friends—because the bank is not going to give it to you—and sometimes processes, then you have the means to actually see a future for yourself in a way that perhaps young people here today do not.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
You just brought up lobster, which is right on cue. Perfect.
We're seeing an increase in biomass on the east coast. Where do you think those lobster are coming from? Is that biomass in Canada, or is it migrating north from Maine?
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
I don't know a huge amount about lobster, but I suspect it's a bit of both.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
In other words, what I'm getting at is that the climate is changing in our oceans and it's affecting our fishery. Whether it's with regard to groundfish, fin fish, etc., that's causing a real problem.
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
I think that's one of the reasons why, at a time when, in a sense, we should be feeling pretty good about ourselves—demand for wild fish is good, we've made the hard conservation decisions, stocks are stable—there's, in fact, a huge level of anxiety out there. It's the things that I mentioned—marine planning, reconciliation and SARA listings—that could shut down the entire salmon industry, but it's also those bigger things like climate change and technological change, as well as how those affect our ability to make a living in that bigger context.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
It does seem that your comment about more SARA listings is a reality for the fisheries.
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
I can tell you that there won't be any salmon fisheries on the south coast.
NDP
NDP
Mr. Ken McDonald (Avalon, Lib.)
We'll go back to the government side now.
Mr. Morrissey, for three minutes or less, please.
February 4th, 2019 / 5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Do any of you believe that the status quo is maintainable and sustainable?
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
I don't think we have seen the status quo for as long as I've been around in this business, and I don't expect that we will see it continue.
We are going to be faced with changes in population trends, with ocean acidification. We're going to have to grapple with new challenges. We have the whole question of increased first nations participation, and that's fundamentally a good thing. We have to deal with meeting marine conservation targets.
It really is imperative that we come to grips with some of the things that we can do something about, so the answer is no; I think change is a constant in fisheries.
Executive Manager, Pacific Halibut Management Association, BC Seafood Alliance
That was it. She got it.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Okay.
Ms. Burridge, could you describe the typical member you represent?
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
We're an association of associations, so most of my members would—
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance
No. My members are associations. Chris is with Pacific Halibut Management. We're an association of associations. Chris' members are—
Executive Manager, Pacific Halibut Management Association, BC Seafood Alliance
Our members are commercial halibut licence-holders, vessel owners.