Colleagues, I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 33 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
I want to start by acknowledging that we are gathered on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people and by expressing gratitude that we're doing the important work of this committee on lands they've stewarded since time immemorial.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108, the committee is meeting to continue its study of Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic herring fisheries.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Before we continue, I would like to ask our in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all participants but particularly the interpreters.
Pursuant to our routine motions, I can advise the committee members that all witnesses appearing virtually have successfully completed the required technical testing.
I have just a few comments for the benefit of members and witnesses.
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. Please mute yourself when you're not speaking.
For interpretation for those on Zoom, you have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience.
Before I welcome the witnesses, I will note for members right from the start that we probably won't have time to go in camera today, because we're ending the committee at 6 p.m.
With that, I'd like to welcome our witnesses.
Participating by video conference, we have Barry Darby; Dylan MacIntyre, fisherman; and Dr. Erin Carruthers, senior fisheries scientist from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union.
From the Maritime Fishermen's Union, we have Martin Mallet, executive director, and Louis Ferguson, assistant director, Homarus. They are both here in person.
With that, we will begin our opening statements from witnesses.
We will start with you, Mr. Darby. You have five minutes or less.