Fisheries Committee on April 24th, 2023

Evidence of meeting #63 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was problem.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Ecosystem Impacts and Management of Pinniped Populations

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Adrian Schimnowski Chief Executive Officer, Arctic Research Foundation

Tom Henheffer Chief Operating Officer, Arctic Research Foundation

Dion Dakins Chief Executive Officer, Carino Processing Ltd.

Gil Thériault

Erin Carruthers Fisheries Scientist, Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union

Owen Bird Executive Director, Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

Martin Paish Director, Sustainable Fisheries, Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

1 p.m.

Director, Sustainable Fisheries, Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

Martin Paish

We are seeing some investment by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in providing tools and management plans, along with education, to assist local first nations in dealing with responsible harvest close to their communities. We'd like to see that work expand; however, as pointed out, the fear is that it's not going to happen quickly enough to address some of the circumstances we're seeing related to endangered salmon populations.

1 p.m.

Director, Intra-Quebec Sealers Association

Gil Thériault

What would you identify as the number one difference between the coasts as we look at pinniped management? I know we talked about similarities, but what about the differences?

1 p.m.

Director, Sustainable Fisheries, Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

Martin Paish

I would suggest the east coast is a little further ahead. I would suggest that on the west coast.... I noted an Atlantic seal action committee, or something like that, which involves stakeholders. We don't have anything like that in British Columbia. Also—and I look forward to talking to one of the witnesses after the committee here—the idea of developing markets for B.C. seals and whatnot doesn't seem to be as far along.

1 p.m.

Director, Intra-Quebec Sealers Association

Gil Thériault

I'm going to try to get one last question in because I forgot to set my timer.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald

Actually, we're all out of time unfortunately, Ms. Barron. Time goes fast when it's so interesting. I realize that.

I must say a big thank you to our four witnesses for the second hour: Dr. Carruthers, Mr. Thériault, Mr. Bird and Mr. Paish. Thank you for sharing your information with the committee today as we look forward to, hopefully, putting a report together at the end of this and passing it on to government for action.

This is just a reminder that on Thursday we will continue our study on pinnipeds. I hope to be there in person and see everybody at that time, safe and sound.

Enjoy the rest of your day. The meeting is adjourned.