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.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have any more questions for today.
I thank the witnesses.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Cormier.
We'll wrap up today's meeting with Mr. Deschênes for two and a half minutes.
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Lemire, I'd like to talk about the pelagic fishers in southern Gaspé. This is a major issue for me.
Initially, the criteria for exploratory licences for area 19 included all Gaspé citizens. Then there was a residency criterion.
Why were pelagic fishers on the south shore not allowed to acquire these licences, including the opportunity to participate in a random draw, when crab fishers, also on the south shore, received exploratory licences?
The indigenous communities of Listuguj and Gespeg, which are also on the south shore, were granted licences in area 19.
Why were pelagic fishers shut out?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
For certain projects, the department recognizes the concept of adjacency, which means we can use place of residence, historical fishing areas or landing ports as factors to be taken into consideration. That's what was done as part of the data acquisition plan for the lobster fishery. The department also made sure to offer local fisheries as much as possible.
These factors were taken into consideration in the plan.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Why did fishers of other species get north shore permits even though they live on the south shore, when pelagic fishers were completely shut out?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I talked to you about historical fishing areas. That's one of the factors that was taken into consideration.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Are you aware that pelagic fishers who fished as far away as Rivière‑au‑Renard were shut out?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
As I said, we took residency into account. As much as possible, we tried to offer the most local fisheries available. We also took into account historical fishing areas and landing ports.
All of these factors were taken into account when we prepared the plan.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Let's talk about historical factors. There was tension between the Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie and Minister Lebouthillier.
Were pelagic fishers shut out on Ms. Lebouthillier's orders?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Not at all.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Deschênes.
That completes our rounds of questioning.
I want to thank our witnesses for being here and answering questions for a full two hours. I know it's not easy to be on the hot seat. Thank you very much for the information today.
We will continue the study when we get back.
With that, I will adjourn the meeting. I wish everybody a productive National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.