Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to your meeting.
My name is Martin Noël. I am a snow crab fisherman from Shippagan, New Brunswick. I am a boat captain and the owner of a family business spanning three generations of fishermen.
New measures were imposed on the industry in 2018, such as the static closure of teeming fishing zones as well as a dynamic closure as soon as whales are spotted. The measures have evolved so that there are no more static closures. The dynamic closures are now temporary and seasonal.
Even though the industry has welcomed these changes, we believe that it is possible to fine-tune and improve them in order to reduce the impact on our fisheries, while still increasing the protection given to the right whales. We have already proposed that seasonal closures only start in June and that acoustic buoys be used to reopen closed zones.
For the third year now, traditional crabber associations in New Brunswick are testing on demand buoy technology, also known as ropeless fishing, out at sea. We are very proud of the progress that we have made. There is still room for improvement, but fishermen are getting on board more and more. Certain non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, are saying that we are world leaders in this field.
We are working closely with the Campobello whale rescue team to set up and train a disentanglement team for the gulf, which would rescue entangled whales. We are also involved in projects that aim to find lost or ghost fishing gear.
In terms of the requirement to modify fishing gear, including modifications effective as of January 2023, I have to say that we have concerns. The aim is to reduce the length and the severity of potential entanglements. Tests have been done at sea over the past few years which have allowed us to retain certain methods and reject others, but it is still not possible to determine which methods are the most efficient for achieving our goal.
Let's not forget that the solution has to be safe for our crew members and the work they do. If we are required to modify our equipment and that in turn reduces safety on board fishing vessels or increases the loss of pots at sea, which creates more ghost fishing gear, we are clearly off course and not meeting all the objectives.
Collaboration is key on this important issue. There has been unparalleled collaboration between NGOs, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the fishing industry. Progress would be impossible without this cooperation. The financial support given by the Government of Canada and New Brunswick is also crucial to enable us to adapt.
Thank you.