I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting 98 of the House of the 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 will make a few comments for the benefit of 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 the floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel. Please address all comments through the chair.
Before we proceed, I simply want to remind members to be very careful when handling the earpieces, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on. Earpieces placed too close to a microphone are one of the most common causes of sound feedback, which is extremely harmful to the interpreters and causes serious injuries.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on February 8, 2024, the committee is commencing its study of plans to prevent violence during the 2024 elver fishing season.
We have with us today officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. I welcome Annette Gibbons, deputy minister; Adam Burns, assistant deputy minister, programs sector; Brent Napier, acting director general, conservation and protection; and Doug Wentzell, regional director general, Maritimes region.
Thank you for taking the time to appear today. I know it's not your first time here before committee. You will have five minutes or less for your opening statement.
I invite Ms. Gibbons to make her statement when she's ready—