Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll take some of my time to give notice of a motion, hoping for good faith from all.
Given the significant decline in shrimp biomass, the low allocation of redfish to the shrimp fleet, particularly the small fleet, the possible demise of the shrimp industry and the lack of concrete alternatives and concrete support, and the repercussions suffered by fishers, fishers' helpers, processing plant owners and employees, as well as coastal communities and businesses, given all this urgency to act, I move:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the criteria used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to set redfish quotas, in particular those announced by the minister on January 26, 2024, in order to assess the extent of their effects on the shrimp fishing industry; that the committee allocate at least two meetings to conduct this study; that the February 27 meeting be allocated to hear from the minister and senior DFO officials so they can answer the committee’s questions for two hours, and that the February 29 meeting be allocated to hear from any witnesses the committee deems necessary; and that the committee urgently report its findings and recommendations to the House.