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.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Do you acknowledge that there wasn't any data? I'm quoting your documents. Do you dispute the fact that there wasn't any data on lobster for the sub‑areas between Rimouski and Capucins that I listed?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
There had never been any fishing in these sub‑areas.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
So there wasn't any scientific data.
Why was the minister in such a hurry to begin exploratory fishing without first issuing experimental fishing licences? Were there any discussions with the minister about why she wanted to proceed so quickly?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's often hard to tell the difference between the first phase and the second phase of the new emerging fisheries policy—
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Ms. Lemire, my question isn't about the difference between the two phases. I fully understand both phases. My question is the following. Why was the minister in such a hurry to proceed directly to the second phase and open 12,000 traps when a scientific opinion wasn't even available in a number of sectors?
Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Regional Director, Quebec Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The department proposed a cautious plan to the minister. I can tell you that much.
Bloc
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I'm sorry, Mr. Deschênes, but your time is already up.
Next, we're going to Mr. Dawson for five minutes.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm going to ask some questions about the lobster fishery in my area, the riding of Miramichi—Grand Lake.
Are there any plans to reduce the fishing for the first nations, so that the fishing doesn't become a commercial fishery to make a disaster for zone 23D?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide an answer to that, as it's outside of my area of focus, but we can take that back.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
What is DFO doing to prevent another escalation like we had in 1999 with the fishing dispute in Burnt Church?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Unfortunately, that area is outside my focus and work, so we'll have to take that back.
Thank you.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Okay. I don't seem to be getting too many answers.
Does DFO know the total catches the first nation licences have?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Unfortunately, that is something outside of my work, and I would have to take that back to the committee.
Thanks.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Is DFO worried about the depletion of the lobster due to the overfishing of the first nations, specifically the out-of-season fishing that they do? It's supposed to be “a moderate livelihood”, but it seems they're overcatching, fishing out of season.
I'm sure that everybody sitting around the table here heard, when we had the election back in April, from all the non-first nation fishermen about the depletion of the catches and where the industry is going to move forward in the future. Does DFO have any answers on that?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I will speak generally to the importance of conservation and protection, and it is a focus for the department for areas such as this and the issues brought up by the honourable member. As for more specific information, we can certainly provide that to the member and to the committee.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Do you know if there have been any discussions with the non-first nations fishermen and first nations fishermen with regard to the out-of-season fishing and the industry in general in terms of how they're going to proceed moving forward?
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
No, I'm not familiar with those discussions.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Okay. I'm going to shift a bit to wharves in the area.
We have several wharves that are in dire need. Certain wharves get special attention, it seems—
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Chair, I have a point of order. I'm not one to interrupt, but there is a study motion that was adopted, with clear parameters. I do not recall it being about wharves. We may get to that or to some other areas some other time.
Could you give clarification on the scope? The witness was called to speak to a specific matter that the committee is studying.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Morrissey, for clarifying that.
Of course, we are doing a study right now on attribution of redfish quotas and exploratory lobster fishing licences. I want to remind all members to keep their questions relevant to the matter at hand.
We will be having the minister here in a couple of weeks, and a broader range of questions would be appropriate at that time.
I see Mr. Arnold on the same point of order.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Yes, on the point of order, I believe it's the members' prerogative to use their allotted time as they so choose.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Absolutely, but I'll remind you that this is what we're here to discuss and what the witnesses will be prepared to answer. It is the prerogative of the members, but try as much as possible to keep your questions relevant to the matter at hand.
With that, I am going to turn it back to Mr. Dawson.
We have stopped your time. You still have about two minutes and eight seconds left.
Conservative
Mike Dawson Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
We do need fishing wharves for the lobster fishermen to fish, but we'll move on to something else.
Please describe the process to develop a commercial fishery, including the progression from the feasibility to exploratory to commercial stages.
Senior Director, Fisheries Resource Management Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I'll speak briefly in the context of redfish and then turn to my colleague about lobster.
In redfish, it should be noted that this fishery had continued for some time since 1998, I believe, as an index and then experimental fishery. There was no direct connection between those who participated in those fisheries and those who have access today as that fishery unfolded and we moved to a commercial fishery.
That is not always the case in different situations, such as lobster.
I'll turn to Madame Lemire.