I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 30 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and motions adopted on October 19, 2020, and April 21, 2021, the committee is meeting on its study of the state of the Pacific salmon.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021, and therefore members can attend in person in the room and remotely by using the Zoom application. I believe the only ones we have in the room today are the clerks.
The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. So you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking, rather than the entirety of the committee.
For those participating virtually, I would like to outline a few rules to follow. Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available for this meeting. You have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either “Floor”, “English” or “French”. With the latest Zoom version, you may now speak in the language of your choice without the need to select the corresponding language channel.
You will also notice that the platform’s “raise hand” feature is now in a more easily accessed location on the main toolbar should you wish to speak or alert the chair. I will remind you that all comments by members and witnesses should be addressed through the chair. When you are not speaking, it is very important that you have your mike on mute.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses.
Today we have, as an individual, Richard Beamish, retired research scientist; from the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Limited Partnership, Larry Johnson, president; from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Eric Angel, fisheries program manager; from Omega Pacific Hatchery Inc., Carol Schmitt, president; and, from the Thornton Creek Enhancement Society, Dave Hurwitz, hatchery manager.
We will now proceed with opening remarks. We'll start off with Mr. Beamish for five minutes or less, but I will say, members, that when our witnesses are finished speaking and we get to questioning, please identify who you are putting the question to.
Mr. Beamish, when you're ready, you have five minutes or less, please.