Fisheries Committee on April 11th, 2017

[Leonard LeBlanc]

I think we go back to experiences that were positive in the past and look at how they worked and how industry and DFO came together. There have been some positive plans that were put in place and real conversations that were had, not just consultations.

This process is managed out of the oceans branch of DFO. We're not really dealing with the same managers as we were when we were dealing with management plans. Maybe they could go back and discuss it with their peers, look at the successes and how they've been achieved, and learn from that, because the path they're on is going to fail, just like this one has in the Cape Breton Trough.

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Thank you.

I'm going to go back again to Mr. Nickerson.

As someone who comes from a community that relies extremely heavily on the fishery—it's not only in Woods Harbour where you are but all along the southern coast of Nova Scotia—do you see that there's a balance? You and I have had discussions about the importance of protecting areas. Is there a way for us to balance the needs of the industry and making sure that we maintain our way of life with making sure that we also protect our oceans?

[Jordan Nickerson]

I think there is a balance. Again, it takes a lot of negotiation, talking to the stakeholders, talking to the scientists and the government, and trying to find out what works best for each. Obviously, this is not a simple task. It takes years to figure out what's best. Science needs to be compiled and everyone's testimony needs to be heard.

Just because I own a red crab quota and another individual may own a quota for a tonne of groundfish, is their voice less important than mine? I think not. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a voice.

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Thank you.

I'll turn my time over to Mr. Finnigan.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, panel, for being here today. I'm on the east coast of New Brunswick, so I can really appreciate what the conversation is about.

We've heard testimony here today that we're moving way too slowly on this, that Canada's lagging behind other countries, even behind the U.S., and then we've heard that maybe we're going a bit too fast.

Mr. Nickerson, you're certainly a well-educated man. You have your future ahead of you in that industry. You decided to come back to it, and I want to acknowledge that. I think it's noble of you to do that with your family and your community.

There must be a middle ground, especially if you have MPAs where the no-take policy might not apply, and where you can harvest a species and still protect it. Could you comment on that?

[Jordan Nickerson]

Again, our fishery is a non-destructive fishery. We fish with the pot fishery. For us, there are certain areas in which we can fish and target the red crab without endangering any other fish and with very limited bycatch. That's what I strive for as a business owner.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Robert Sopuck]

Thank you.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. MacPherson put up his hand. Will you allow—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Robert Sopuck]

Mr. MacPherson, go ahead.

[Ian MacPherson]

I have just a very quick comment, and it's to everyone in the room there.

I think one of the things we are really seeing is that there's a lack of science. For a variety of reasons, a lot of the science that was going on, either annually or every couple of years, has been lacking for a lot of major species. I think that's something that should be part of the discussion also, that we are just starting to get caught up on some science.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

I have a quick comment for Mr. LeBlanc.

I want to acknowledge the fact that you're working with indigenous communities. I think that's important going forward. I'm just curious. I think the interim report on the shared Atlantic leadership model, which defined a protected area, explicitly designed it to accommodate and support indigenous interests. What are your comments on that? Do you see that direction as being the right one, or do you still prefer the present model under which you share the resource?

[Leonard LeBlanc]

I don't think I'll challenge their constitutional right at any time. I think we understand where they have rights and we have privileges. I think we're willing to accept that fact. The participation we've had by first nations in our area has been excellent. They work with us. They come to our meetings. They vote with us. They make decisions, and whatever the outcomes are, they go on the same path we do. We've been very lucky in the sense of having first nations who have been willing partners to work with us.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Unless anybody has a comment, I'm done.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Robert Sopuck]

I'm afraid time is up.

I would like to thank all of our witnesses, and also to acknowledge how difficult it is for people from the business community or practitioners in industry to take time from their busy schedules to attend these kinds of meetings. I think the feeling around the table from all of the parliamentarians is that we deeply appreciate not only your wisdom and character but also the sacrifice of your very important time to appear before us. Thank you very much. We look forward to seeing you at some time in the future.

With that, we will suspend the meeting for a few minutes and then we'll go in camera for committee business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]