Evidence of meeting #4 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 redfish.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The first nations were indeed consulted. However, in addition to the needs and interests expressed by the first nations, certain continuity principles were also taken into account.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Ms. Lemire, I just want you to confirm that indigenous people could choose, before the other fishers, the locations tied to their exploratory licences.
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The first nations shared their needs and interests. These were taken into account in the allocation and distribution of exploratory fishing licences.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
They were chosen first.
It appears that the Mi'kmaq communities requested all the exploratory licences. I would like to read from an email sent to you on September 26, 2024. This email summarizes a discussion. It reads as follows:
However, their questions and comments suggested that there was room for “negotiation.” A 50/50 split wasn't acceptable to them. This position nevertheless opened the door to a percentage between 50% and 100%.
In the end, that's what you did. You gave them over 50% of the exploratory licences.
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That's the summary of a consultation meeting with the first nations.
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's just one piece of information in a long list.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Okay, but it seems that you're having trouble admitting that you issued them over 50% of the exploratory licences. Maybe it isn't that big of a deal. At the start of your remarks, you said that the percentage was around 50%. When we add it all up, it's over 50%, Ms. Lemire.
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
According to the exact numbers, it's approximately 50%. I don't have the exact number in front of me. As I said, one of the department's primary goals was to give priority to members of first nations and fleets that were struggling.
The plan is in keeping with those goals.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Deschênes.
Next, we're going to go to our last questioner in the fourth round.
Mr. Cormier, you have the floor for five minutes.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Chair, is it me or the Conservative for South Shore...?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
For the last round, Mr. Généreux gave his time to Monsieur Deschênes.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Oh. I'm sorry. That's perfect.
Thank you.
Mr. Williams, if this is correct, and I believe it is, this year's redfish quota is 60,000 tonnes. Is that right?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That's right.
Liberal
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We've had a mix of 15 licence-holders currently participating across all fleets.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I'm talking about the Gulf of St. Lawrence, specifically.
Do you know who's fishing in that area?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I don't have the specific licence-holders or to which fleets they belong. There are 15 licence-holders that have participated and 68 trips in which product has been landed, for about 4.3% of the TAC. That's 2,500 tonnes.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Do you know if offshore trawlers are part of the fleet currently fishing part of that 60,000 tonne quota?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Certainly, there were some in the offshore fishing during our earlier experimental allocation. I believe there are also some inshore fleets and fleets from the gulf as well.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Williams, I'm sure you're also aware that the shrimp fleet is participating in a project funded by the Atlantic fisheries fund for experimental fishing using new types of fishing gear and whatnot. In addition, most of the shrimpers in my region are part of the Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels, the FRAPP.
Are you aware of this fishery and of this project, which are under way at this time?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Indeed, the Fédération Régionale Acadienne des Pêcheurs Professionnels received $3.5 million through the Atlantic fisheries fund.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Redfish is currently selling for 20¢, 25¢ or 30¢ per pound. I'm sure you agree that this fishery relies on heavy volume to be profitable.
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That's correct. It's a volume fishery, and we've heard that from numerous stakeholders.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
When the government decided on the new redfish allocation, it gave shrimpers 10% of the 60,000 tonnes.
Did you divide that allocation by the number of shrimpers to figure out how much money each shrimper would make?