Fisheries Committee on May 26th, 2021

[Ivan Askgaard]

I don't believe that DFO's characterization of the consultation process was accurate. My understanding is that the consultations were industry-driven. We asked to meet with them several times, and at first the answer from DFO was that there was no need to meet. Finally they did accede to meet with the PPFA, their chosen representative group.

There was much I didn't agree with that DFO said, which I'm sure will come out as we go forward here.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Okay.

My next question for you, then—and I think it was you, Mr. Olson, who brought this up—is that I want you to tell me if you agree with the following statement or not: “The use of size limits is ineffective in ensuring conservation of spot prawns.”

Do you agree or disagree with that sentence?

[Andy Olson]

I agree.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Ms. Strobel, what is your comment?

[Sonia Strobel]

Yes, absolutely. I agree.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Askgaard...?

[Ivan Askgaard]

I agree.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Would you say that the minimum size limit for prawns has been put in place over the years more for economic reasons than for conservation and ensuring the survival and integrity of the population of spot prawns?

Would you agree or disagree with that statement?

[Sonia Strobel]

Yes, I agree.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Olson...?

[Andy Olson]

I agree.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Askgaard...?

[Ivan Askgaard]

It's mostly for economic reasons, yes.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Then does it make sense to any of you that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is changing its policies when it comes to enforcement with regard to the tubbing of spot prawns based on need for conservation? Does that argument from the department hold water?

[Sonia Strobel]

Absolutely not.

[Andy Olson]

No.

[Ivan Askgaard]

It seems like an argument that they brought up after the fact when they had to try to explain their actions.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

The department has basically said that it was through consultations with the industry. It was, I believe, Mr. Davis who said that it was during a conversation that they had with industry representatives—which I'm assuming weren't you—that the industry indicated they were going to increase the amount of tubbing that they were going to do as a rationale. My interpretation of this was that when the industry is honest with its intentions with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans then turns that into an opportunity to change its regulatory approach to make life more difficult for fishermen.

Would you agree with my assessment?

[Sonia Strobel]

I would agree with that. I have heard many fishermen ask me why I would stick my neck out and do things like write a petition and go to the House of Commons as a witness. Why would I do that? They said I was only going to get a smackdown from the DFO and that it was only going to come back around and hurt us if I did that.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Do you have any indications, Ms. Strobel? I mean, that is a powerful statement. That might be a sentiment that's felt.... Is there anybody you can point to who would be interested in saying that they feel that they've been blacklisted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans?

[Sonia Strobel]

I will ask—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Richard Bragdon]

Ms. Strobel, you have about 10 seconds.

[Sonia Strobel]

I'll ask anyone if they would be willing to stick their neck out, as it were.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Richard Bragdon]

Thank you, Mr. Calkins.

Now we'll go to Mr. Hardie for six minutes or less.