Quebec is currently experiencing a problem with salmon. Salmon numbers are falling dramatically. We're seeing capelin disappear as well, even though we fought tooth and nail to prevent that. In addition, we are seeing the comeback of striped bass, a species which, presumably, is still considered to be on the verge of extinction by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or DFO. However, in weir fisheries and in rivers, our fishers are seeing only striped bass.
A new species of striped bass seems to have made its way into the system, but DFO does not take it into account in its data. It only keeps data on the old species and insists that the striped bass is on the brink of extinction when everyone on the ground is saying the opposite.
We also see on the ground that there are no more salmon. And yet we have photographic evidence of striped bass with bellies full of baby salmon.
In your opinion, what kind of provision could be included in the Fisheries Act to force DFO to lend more weight to what people on the ground are seeing?