Evidence of meeting #25 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was objectives.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Thank you.
By fishing activities that are allowed, did you mean both indigenous and non-indigenous fishing activities?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Are there any MPAs or other marine protection initiatives adding to the government's targets where indigenous harvest activities are limited or prohibited?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Do you mean in terms of existing sites?
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Are there any MPAs or other marine protection initiatives adding to the government's targets where indigenous harvest activities are limited or prohibited?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, there are.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Then can you explain why conservation objectives would be less stringent for sectors where catch often goes unreported or unmeasured by DFO?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
In terms of the risk assessment that is applied with respect to fisheries for indigenous people, meaning the FSC, the risk assessment is also applied to the type of fishing. If it poses a great conservation risk, that is also limited. If it does not pose a significant conservation risk, then it is allowed.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Could you provide this committee in writing which of the government's marine protection initiatives limit or prohibit fishing activities by indigenous harvesters?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, I'd be happy to.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Thank you.
Ms. Graham, I assume the federal marine protection initiatives are undertaken primarily for conservation. Is that correct?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Federal statutes and policies and the Supreme Court of Canada have repeatedly affirmed that conservation is a primary objective for fisheries management that is entrusted to the Minister of Fisheries. If fishing activities in a protection zone are prohibited for a conservation reason, can a conservation region change, depending on whether the fishing activity is undertaken by an indigenous or non-indigenous harvester?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The risk assessment is still applied to the fishing activity that is occurring. Based on that risk assessment, a decision is taken on whether it can be allowed or not.
Conservative
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
No, they do not.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Federal statutes and Supreme Court rulings have repeatedly upheld that conservation is the number one priority. The minister is closing zones to fishing for conservation reasons, but then exemptions to closures are made, and these exemptions betray the primacy of conservation and whether the minister had serious conservation concerns in the first place. If she did, one would assume that the reasons would warrant being upheld.
Ms. Graham, will you provide this committee in writing the detailed conservation objectives and how those objectives are actually measured for each marine conservation and protection area that is established or planned for on the west coast?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, I will.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Could you provide that in a reasonable time, before we finish this study?
Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, I'm happy to contribute.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Mr. Arnold.
Next we're going to Mr. Connors for five minutes.
Liberal
Paul Connors Liberal Avalon, NL
Thank you to all the witnesses who came out today.
I was very pleased to hear in Ms. Graham's opening remarks that they listened to the industry and the testimony as we started this. I believe you stated that you're already looking at some changes. Is that correct?