Evidence of meeting #29 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 site.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Fishermen, As an Individual
I loved softshell clam harvesting. It was a horrible situation. I couldn't help myself. I was ready to go to prison if I could keep harvesting.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Thank you, Mr. Roberge.
Mr. Bourdages, I have a question using Saint‑Siméon as an example.
The moratorium was declared and after that, a broad grassroots movement was set in motion to press for some sites to be reopened. That's how a few sites were reopened, including the sites in Miguasha, which is open from time to time, Saint‑Omer and Port‑Daniel. There's been public pressure all these years. People have wanted access to softshell clam harvesting areas, and there are plenty of places where that could happen.
You spoke about Saint‑Siméon. Based on your information, can you describe what happened and why new sites could not be opened despite the mobilization, the report that was produced and the work done by the Comité ZIP?
Fishermen, As an Individual
I can quote the findings of this report for you. In 2007, the Comité ZIP selected 120 fishers to harvest softshell clams, and they harvested 168,000. Some 80 harvesters were selected in 2008 and 60 in 2009. Harvesting took place in an area Fisheries and Oceans Canada described as contaminated, which had been closed. The harvesters were authorized to fish there. The findings showed that the area could be opened. That was west of Bonaventure, between Saint‑Siméon and Bonaventure.
That's the protected area where my friend Ghislain Roberge loves to harvest.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
I don't have a lot of time left, Mr. Bourdages.
From what you're saying, the issue was not that the softshell clams were contaminated.
Fishermen, As an Individual
No. Humans can't move this forward.
The report I alluded to states that to have ongoing community shellfish management in Bonaventure—Saint‑Siméon and to ensure the current management plan is implemented, the committee promoting shellfish harvesting should create a joint functional and structural administrative framework with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. That hasn't been done. This means that we've lost the right to harvest softshell clams in this area alone for 10 years or more. Imagine then that another 40 areas out of the 48 could be analyzed and opened to fishing.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Mr. Deschênes.
That brings us to the end of our first round. We'll now go to the second round.
Mr. Généreux, you have the floor for five minutes.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm new to this committee. Thank you to my colleagues for inviting me today.
I'm from La Pocatière, which is on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Where I come from, we fish for eels. Obviously, elver fishing is in decline because eel populations are declining due to elver harvesting in the United States. Anyway, there are all sorts of factors.
Mr. Bourdages, what I'm hearing is that basically Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been dragging its feet for 10 or 15 years. The department didn't conduct the necessary studies to reopen areas. Have I understood correctly?
Fishermen, As an Individual
Yes, you're right. Officials from Fisheries and Oceans Canada have not made any progress. This allows fisheries officers to go around and issue fines instead of putting the money into conducting analyses with a view to opening shellfish harvesting areas.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
I'm not sure if it's Fisheries and Oceans Canada that has helicopters to chase down and charge the guilty parties, but instead of putting money into these helicopters, the money should be spent on testing the water. My understanding is that this has not been done for several years.
Do you know whether, as we speak, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada—I think several departments are involved—are passing the buck back and forth or if it's actually Fisheries and Oceans Canada that's not fulfilling its responsibilities on this?
Fishermen, As an Individual
I can't speak to that because I'm not in their offices. However, I worked as a civil engineer in Gaspésie. I worked with Transport Canada, with the Canadian Coast Guard, and with some boards. I also worked on water treatment. I was an engineer and I used to monitor equipment at city water treatment facilities. If I can use a tennis analogy, I'd say the ball was too big for the racquet.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Earlier, you said there were 350 areas initially. Were all 350 areas you mentioned in Gaspésie?
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
The document that was presented to us has a map that shows mollusc areas. I suppose it basically covers all molluscs, not just softshell clams. There are some areas on the Côte‑Nord, all the way to my region. There's a banner across from Camping Rivière‑Ouelle showing that all mollusc fishing is prohibited. As such, it's not prohibited in Gaspésie alone. I think it's also prohibited where I'm from.
I took some notes. You said that 87 of the 350 sites are open. You spoke about 48 sites, 41 of which are closed. Therefore, fishing is only allowed in seven areas. How many years has it been since just seven areas have been open? Has it been more than 10 years?
Fishermen, As an Individual
It's been more than 20 years, since 2009 or 2007.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Is that since the moratorium was declared?
Fishermen, As an Individual
Since the moratorium was declared, since 1990.
In Quebec, 325 shellfish areas have been identified and 87 have been opened. In our sector, 48 areas have been identified between Gaspé and Miguasha, but 41 are closed.
We only have the right to harvest on seven sites and yet, there are no ongoing analyses at the open sites.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
That's the problem.
Ms. Allard, do you go to the areas where fishing is allowed, or do you go to the areas where it's not allowed?
You're not going to be arrested here. You won't go to prison.
Fisherwoman, As an Individual
No, I always go to the authorized site, which has been expanded slightly towards Saint‑Omer, although not by much.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Has it been expanded by one kilometre?
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
What made them decide to expand that area?
Fisherwoman, As an Individual
We had a map, but the map is useless out on the water. I'd say that it's hard to say with certainty where the zone is.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
There are no markers showing areas where fishing is allowed and where it's prohibited.
Fisherwoman, As an Individual
No. Fishers put one up because there's a bank around a barachois. Those are the terms.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC
Isn't that basically on the coastline?