Fisheries Committee on April 13th, 2022

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

Is it fair to say, then, that had there been some success at getting an opening as of April 1, there wouldn't have been any fish to catch?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

That's correct.

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

Have there been wide variations in the spawning timing of capelin over the years, particularly with respect to the impact of climate change?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

In nine out of 10 years, there has been no variation. May 1 has been an opening date that served to provide this fishery.

Last year, the spawning happened earlier, though the date in the frame was for May 1. Last year was an exception. That may become more common. It has not been common in the past, but should that change, we are looking to consult with other fishers around the flexibility for the weir fishers to have an earlier open date, even though they may not be able to use that extra month for the most part.

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

Looking at the map, we have 4S, 4T and 4R. Are the capelin runs different in each of those areas?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

I will ask my officials to explain the differences. It is managed as one stock.

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

I know that, but I was wondering if it was just one big mass of fish or if there were differences, particularly between 4S, 4T and 4R.

[Timothy Sargent]

Tony, go ahead.

[Tony Blanchard]

I would say the short answer is yes. There are some variations, depending on the area.

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

I guess then the question becomes perhaps one of equity. I believe this is something the minister referred to.

If a fishery is allowed in area 4T, would this be seen as equitable by fishers in 4S and 4R?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

That's the very reason why consultation with the harvesters is important when any change is being contemplated.

My understanding is that most of the other areas have a later opening date. This would not necessarily benefit any other fisher whose zones are likely to be still iced in on April 1.

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

You say that the ice is out a little bit later. Is it all out usually by May 1?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

No, it's not. In some areas, it's not until May or even early June.

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

Is it then reasonable to suggest that area 4T actually does get a head start, even with an opening in May?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Yes, there is a head start because of ice conditions in that particular area.

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

Thank you.

That will do for me for this round, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Hardie.

We will now go to Madame Desbiens for two and a half minutes, please.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

When the capelin fishery starts is a matter of tides, moon phases and several other factors. Last year, the capelin were ready to catch as early as April 3 or 4. This year, the capelin are ready to catch now since there has been no ice on the shoreline for a few days.

I also believe that we have a duty as members of Parliament, as elected officials, as ministers, as researchers or as scientists to demonstrate to those who listen to us and rely on us that we know how to use common sense, an important factor in our respective fields of expertise.

Last year, the fishers lost 50% of their income. Whether we are talking about April 26, which is toward the end of the month, or May 1 for this year, it amounts to the same thing and the fishers are going to lose over 30% of their income. This puts the very existence of this fishery in jeopardy.

Why haven't you consulted the weir fishers in your past considerations? On April 9, 2021, we asked the department to hold consultations and do some scientific research to avoid what we are experiencing right now.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will ask my officials to answer the details of this question.

My understanding is that the conditions are not such that the fish are spawning on these beaches yet. Nothing is being lost this year. We are endeavouring to advance the opening date. We're having discussions with other harvesters as we need to in our commitment to consult in making changes to an integrated fishery management plan.

I don't understand the member's assertion that the fisheries have been lost. We are responding to a specific request of two individuals. Whether they are specifically in the consultation or not.... I will leave it to my department to let Madame Desbiens know how the consultation is organized.

[Timothy Sargent]

Mr. Chair, perhaps I can add to that.

The next advisory committee is going to be held on April 25, as I think members know. Certainly the two individuals will be very welcome to take part in those discussions.

Our understanding of the ice conditions is that there's still some ice. I'm looking at the daily ice chart for the Gulf of St. Lawrence and there's still a lot of light blue in the Charlevoix area.

As the minister said, over the last 10 years, the capelin came before May 1 in only one year. Even last year, fishers were able to go out and fish and make some income as they've been able to do every year over the last 10 years.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Madame Desbiens.

We'll now go to Ms. Barron for two and a half minutes, please.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

Through you to Minister Murray, in British Columbia there was an announcement regarding herring reductions and the UFAWU called on the government to invest $5 million to improve monitoring efforts for that fishery. The FFAW on the east coast also made a similar request in the wake of the mackerel announcement last month.

I'm wondering what investments this government has made in monitoring efforts to ensure that we have the best information available to make assessment decisions such as those we're speaking about today.

Thank you.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thanks for that question.

To the member, my goal is to grow the fish and seafood industry in Canada. It's an incredibly important one, with a lot of export dollars. To grow this, we need to have stocks that are in healthy condition. That's why monitoring is so important. That is a key part of what the ministry and our scientists do.

I would like to turn it over to the officials on the question of how much money is invested in monitoring herring.

[Timothy Sargent]

I don't think we have that information at hand.

Mr. Chair, I just want to clarify this. Is this herring across the country, specifically on the west coast, or in 4RST?

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

It's just in general.