Thank you, Chair.
I want to thank our officials for being here in person and also by video conference to answer questions.
I want to pick up on a very local concern for me and my constituents. In this study, we've heard from witnesses who have pointed to some localized science and monitoring in Howe Sound, indicating a very low interaction risk of stocks of concern. They referenced a DFO stock assessment in 2022, which found that encounters of Fraser River stocks of concern were very rare, posing near zero risk in Howe Sound. They pointed to a DFO-led reference fishery in 2024, which sampled 354 adult chinook in April and May and found that none identified as originating from the Fraser River stocks of concern. Obviously, a limited mark-selective fishery in this area would deliver significant social and economic benefits, and it's been a big frustration for folks locally that there haven't been retention opportunities.
Given the testimony and the available data, what is the primary factor currently preventing DFO from authorizing any retention opportunities in Howe Sound? To what extent is the current non-retention decision driven by biological risk specific to Howe Sound, versus the application of the broader precautionary principle or other management constraints?