Fisheries Committee on May 23rd, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Perkins.

We'll go back to Mr. Boulerice now for two and a half minutes or less, please.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Ms. Lapointe, thank you for being here. I'm sorry there have been a lot of changes on our end.

Over the past decade, the organizations that fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have contributed greatly to the development of the fisheries.

From what you know, has the situation improved or deteriorated, in recent years, in terms of job creation and protection of your members?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

I didn't quite understand the question.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Over the past few years, many people who work in the industry have seen that the climate has changed and that this is having an impact on the fisheries, particularly on the maintenance and creation of jobs.

What can you tell us in this regard?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

The environment has indeed changed for many species. Generally speaking, groundfish species, for example cod, in different places, are just starting to recover. Many of our members have had more success with shrimp and crab than with groundfish species.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

This morning, a report appeared in the media. It talked about the increasing acidification of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, particularly the drastic drop in oxygen levels, which is having an effect on certain species.

Have you also observed this in recent years?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

As far as the ecosystem is concerned, there are definitely major disturbances in the gulf.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

In terms of the survival, development or proliferation of certain species, are you concerned that this could have consequences in the years to come?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

Yes, it's possible, but, to be honest, I'm not an expert in this field.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

That's fine.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Boulerice.

Now, for approximately two and a half minutes to finish our first hour, we will have Mr. Hardie, and then we'll go in camera.

You have two and a half minutes, Mr. Hardie.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Ms. Lapointe, for being with us today.

I'm from the west coast, and one of the issues we have, particularly with our salmon stocks, is the interception of migrating salmon by international fishers, notably in Alaska. I have to put that on the record.

Is interception out in the deeper water an issue here for the stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or do they mostly just hang around the gulf?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

There is some overlap in redfish between unit 1 and unit 2, where, I think I indicated, we're starting to see some smaller fish, but generally they're pretty contained.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Okay. It would appear then that the overall strategy is to open up a redfish fishery in order to reduce the size of the stock and take the pressure off shrimp, which are a far more valuable harvest. Is that a reasonable assumption?

[Sylvie Lapointe]

I think that's a reasonable assumption for those who fish shrimp.

We are interested in harvesting redfish because we have a history and a tradition of harvesting it, and we want to be able to sell it and maximize employment and economic opportunities for our members and coastal communities.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

You did indicate a little bit earlier, though, that there were, perhaps, just a few years of any kind of a viable harvest in redfish, so are we then dealing with the proposition that some sort of government assistance is going to be required or that some sort of other major transition for the redfish fishery is in the offing? It would appear that, even at its best, this is a very precarious undertaking.

[Sylvie Lapointe]

I can't speak to that. I don't think that's an issue for our members.

We have, as I said, always participated in a redfish fishery, whether it's been as big as it is now or whether it's been much more limited.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Right. Well, I wish you all the best and hope that things change and conditions change. Maybe that redfish fishery can be recovered to the point where it's an ongoing and decent source of income for families on the east coast.

Thank you for your time today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Hardie.

I want to say thank you to Ms. Lapointe for her appearance here today before committee and for sharing her knowledge with us as we look at doing this particular study or report.

We will now suspend to go in camera for our second hour of committee business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]