I now call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 64 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. This meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022.
As a reminder to all, please address your comments through the chair. Screenshots or taking photos of your screen is not permitted. The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I am informing the committee that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on January 18, 2022, the committee is resuming its study of the ecosystem impacts and the management of pinniped populations.
I would like to welcome our first panel of witnesses. As an individual, we have Mr. Glenn Blackwood, retired vice-president of Memorial University of Newfoundland, by video conference. Representing the B.C. Commercial Fishing Caucus is Jim McIsaac, managing director, also by video conference. Representing the David Suzuki Foundation, we have Kilian Stehfest, marine conservation specialist, by video conference as well.
Thank you for taking the time to appear today. You will each have up to five minutes for an opening statement.
We will start the statements with Mr. Blackwood for five minutes or less, please.