I call this meeting to order.
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to meeting number 96 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. This meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.
Before we proceed, I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece to select the desired channel.
Please address all comments through the chair.
Before we proceed, I simply want to remind members to be careful when handling their earpieces, especially when their microphone or their neighbour's microphone is turned on. Earpieces placed too close to the microphone are one of the most common causes of sound feedback, which is extremely harmful to interpreters and causes serious injuries.
Today we welcome the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, for a briefing on “Report 6: Monitoring Marine Fisheries Catch” of the commissioner's report.
I would like to welcome our witnesses. From the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, we have Jerry DeMarco, commissioner; David Normand, principal; and Francis Michaud, director.
Representing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we have Brent Napier, acting director general, conservation and protection. On Zoom, we have Todd Williams, senior director, fisheries resource management, operations; Jennifer Mooney, director of national licensing operations, is here in the room.
Thank you all for taking the time to appear today. Each department will have five minutes or less for an opening statement.
I will invite Mr. Jerry DeMarco to begin, please.