Thank you.
I just wanted to say, Mr. Morrissey, that I've known most of you for a long time, and I think I'm looking forward to this.
You wouldn't believe that being a very urban Vancouver Centre MP, I have one of the largest fisheries in my riding. Actually, it's on Granville Island. There's a lot of shellfish, and a lot of fishers live there. I depend on fishers to vote for me at the end of the day, so I thank you.
This is going to be a learning curve for me. I know I will learn from all of you about what is what, etc., I know salmon, sockeye.... That's all I have to say. Thank you.
Now, I would like to invite the witnesses to the table.
Welcome to meeting number 36 of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
I want to acknowledge that we are gathered here on the ancestral lands of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108, the committee is meeting to continue its study of the factors determining opening and closing dates of marine harvesting seasons. Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.
Pursuant to our routine motions, I would like to advise committee members that all witnesses appearing virtually today have successfully conducted the required testing.
I also want to remind participants of the following points: Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon—you will see a little globe—and that will give you the language you wish to speak and participate in. I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. 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.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses.
From the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we have Bernard Vigneault, director general, ecosystem science directorate. We also have Todd Williams, senior director, resource management, operations; and Neil Davis, regional director, fisheries management branch, Pacific region.
We will start with the opening statement of Mr. Vigneault.
You have five minutes for your opening statement. I will literally give you a shout-out when you have one minute, and then another one at 30 seconds, just to orient you.
Thank you very much.
Begin, please, Mr. Vigneault. You have five minutes.