Evidence of meeting #28 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was prawns.
A video is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association
Really, measurements are the single way. We suggested that the on-board observers from our service-providing company could offer a bit of that service, as well, in C and P's absence. Primarily, it's just measuring with calipers.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
How much of the product do you think gets inspected in a normal season? Would it be 1% or 2% in the existing system right now?
Executive Director, Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association
It's quite a bit higher with respect to the on-ground observers. From actual C and P, I'm not too sure.
I'm not sure if Emily or Jim has an answer.
Lead Representative, Prawn Industry Caucus
I don't believe that there's data available in terms of the relationship between percentage of catch inspected and C and P's inspection rate. I don't believe that exists.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Okay.
Ms. Orr, it's clear that there's a lot of uncertainty in the region right now. Harvesters aren't aware of how DFO is interpreting the regulations. The new interpretation appears to be making the practice of tubbing illegal immediately.
However, DFO has stated that they won't enforce it as of yet. They're kind of watching you. They're making everybody look over their shoulder.
Can you explain the impact of this uncertainty around enforcement, and the lack of clarity and communication, on harvesters?
Lead Representative, Prawn Industry Caucus
Sure. Thank you.
There are fines that could be placed on a harvester. The interference with their fishing time if they are asked to come into port for inspection and they are found to be in violation, really of any sort, can be devastatingly costly to the harvester.
What we are hearing from DFO is that while the posture of C and P this year will be one of inform and educate, C and P still has discretion available to process violation charges if they feel it is necessary to do so.
There's really no assurance for harvesters who want to tub prawns this year that they can do so and have no issue with that, so that's very confusing and stressful.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Would anyone else like to comment on the lack of clarity and just what kind of stress that's putting on all of your businesses or members?
Managing Director, BC COVID-19 Active Fishermen’s Committee
One of the first comments the department made to us on this whole issue was that the onus was on the harvester to comply with the regulations.
If you ask what the regulations mean and what the issues are, and we don't get a clear answer, it becomes very, very difficult to comply with the regulation when you don't understand what has changed since last year. It makes it impossible.
Without the regulator telling you how they understand a regulation, it's very difficult for an industry to comply with it.
Executive Director, Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association
I'm not too sure if there's any time, but this is spilling over to other industries as well, because freezing products in blocks is, as Jim said, common practice with hake, groundfish, shrimp on the east coast, and euphausiids. There's a number, and they're 25 to 40-pound blocks and way more onerous to thaw out, so there's anxiety spilling over into other sectors as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you, Mr. Mazier. It's too close to get another question in there.
We'll now go to Mr. Morrissey for five minutes or less, please.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Thank you, Chair.
My question is for Ms. Orr.
In DFO, there are three criteria that should determine their reaction or interaction: the security of the stock, the quality of the product being sold to the consumer, and if there is illegal activity in fishing them.
You say this has been going on for 50 years. Could you just quickly address the issue of how the catches are today versus the last 50 years?
Lead Representative, Prawn Industry Caucus
I would say that the efficiency of the prawn fleet has increased due to the development of better gear. However—
Lead Representative, Prawn Industry Caucus
We are well recognized as a very sustainable fishery, and our—
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
So there's no issue here with the long-term conservation of the resource.
I see Mr. McIsaac shaking his head. Okay, so that checks off one of them.
Has there ever been any recorded history of a quality issue with the product sold to a consumer?
Lead Representative, Prawn Industry Caucus
I think there are individual cases where quality may not have been as optimal as possible. I don't know if that is something that DFO is looking to resolve in this. Certainly it's in everybody's interest to produce the best quality product possible. At any time when the quality has suffered, I think typically it's due to some type of breakdown in the supply chain.
I'm not sure if that's helpful to your question.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Well, it's pretty accurate. So there have been no cases or widespread cases of a consumer being in ill health as a result of buying one of your tubs frozen at sea.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Not that you're aware of, so that would address the quality issue.
Am I correct in interpreting then that DFO personnel can board any fishing vessel and ask to do a compliance check? Is that correct?
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Lawson, maybe if you could respond on that, too, as you're a fisher.
Is there anything stopping DFO personnel from taking a random sample of your frozen tubs at their request? Can they choose where they want to go?