Fisheries Committee on June 1st, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 40 of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108, the committee is meeting to continue its study on the factors determining the opening and closing dates of marine harvesting seasons.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. Pursuant to the routine motions, I want to advise the committee that all witnesses appearing today have successfully conducted the tests and are properly logged on.

I want to remind you of the following housekeeping points.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking.

For those of you appearing by video conference, please look at the little globe at the bottom of your screen. You will be able to click on the appropriate language for yourselves.

I want to remind witnesses that committee members are going to ask questions in either French or English, so make sure you have the interpretation ready, so that we don't have to wait for too long before you get your interpretation of the questions.

For members in the room, if you wish to speak, raise your hand. The clerk and I will see how we can pick up who was first.

Thank you.

I'd like to welcome all of our witnesses today.

From the Assembly of First Nations, we have Andrea Paul, regional chief for Nova Scotia, and James MacDonald, director of fisheries. They're both appearing by video conference.

From the Fisheries Council of Canada, we have Jason McLinton, president. By video conference, we have Grant Dovey, member.

From Icewater Seafoods, Inc., we have Alberto Wareham, president and CEO.

We will start with the witnesses' opening statements.

Witnesses, your opening statements are five minutes for the group, not per person, so those of you who are speaking for your group will have five minutes. I will give you a one-minute shout-out and then a 30-second shout-out. Ignore me when you hear “one minute” and “30 seconds”. You don't have to pay attention, but it gives you an idea of when to wrap up, so I don't have to stop you mid-sentence.

We'll begin the opening remarks with Mr. Wareham for five minutes, please.

[Alberto Wareham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Icewater Seafoods Inc.]

Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

My name is Alberto Wareham, and I am the president and CEO of Icewater Seafoods, a family-owned seafood company based in Arnold's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Icewater operates the only food manufacturing facility in North America focused exclusively on North Atlantic cod. We focus on year-round operations and employment, with more than 300 employees during peak season supplying premium cod products to customers in Europe and North America.

My comments will focus on northern cod and the importance of timely, practical and predictable fisheries management decisions, particularly around opening dates.

Overall, the management of northern cod demonstrates that Canada can rebuild and responsibly manage fisheries over the long term. The return of the commercial fishery supported by a healthy and growing stock is a significant success story. Improvements in timing, process and the alignment of harvesting opportunities with the realities of the resource can further improve the economic benefits, operations and overall safety of fisheries.

Northern cod is a migratory stock. During the summer months, cod are concentrated in shallow waters close to the shore and accessible to small inshore vessels. In the fall and winter months, they migrate farther offshore, into deeper waters. That migration pattern directly affects when different fleets can safely and effectively access the resource.

Industry participants support the current spawning closure in place from approximately mid-April until the end of June. Given that the commercial fishery reopened only in 2024 after more than three decades under moratorium, that closure should continue until there is sufficient updated scientific information on spawning behaviour in today's climate conditions. However, with that spawning closure in place, timely opening decisions are critical.

Northern cod in 2025-26 was a good example. The annual management approach was announced on June 18, 2025, which was earlier than some past years, but still not as early as the June 1 date industry had requested. Additional delays followed, and the inshore fishery did not open until mid-July. Had the fishery opened July 1, immediately following the end of the spawning closure, there would have been an additional two weeks of productive fishing time during one of the best periods of the year for the inshore fleet. In July, the weather conditions are generally more favourable, cod are concentrated close to shore, product quality is excellent, and small day boats can fish more safely and consistently.

Last year, approximately 5,650 metric tons of the inshore allocation remained uncaught, roughly 20% of the inshore share. Although many factors can affect harvesting outcomes over the course of a season, timely openings help inshore harvesters have the fullest possible opportunity to access the resource under favourable conditions. For our operation alone, those 5,650 tonnes of uncaught cod represent more than $3 million in lost income for plant workers. We could have paid harvesters more than $12 million for additional catch, and that's not including the broader economic impacts across rural communities and local businesses. A notable portion of that uncaught fish could have been harvested had the season opened two weeks earlier.

Of the approximately 1,170 active licences in the inshore northern cod fishery last year, the vast majority were true day boats that depend heavily on summer access when fish are close to shore and conditions are safest. Larger inshore vessels, representing only about 50 active vessels, typically harvest in the fall when cod has moved further from shore. Local offshore harvesters then harvest during the fall and winter, when the stock is located in offshore waters.

Season timing and allocation decisions should reflect stock migration patterns, safety considerations, operational realities and market needs. For northern cod and for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2026 represents a particularly significant opportunity. The stock is healthy and growing. More than 70% of northern cod is now destined for premium markets in Europe, aligned with Canada's broader trade and export objectives.

Global cod supply has declined by approximately 40% over the past five years, and demand and prices for high-quality cod products have strengthened considerably as a result. The economic losses experienced in 2025 would pale in comparison to the losses this year if cod is again left uncaught.

On behalf of the 300-plus people at Icewater Seafoods and the town of Arnold's Cove, who, against the odds, remained committed to cod through the 32-year moratorium, I encourage the government to ensure that seasonal opening dates and management approaches reflect the realities of the resource. Doing so can provide industry with the ability to safely and effectively optimize the economic potential of this historic resource.

Thank you again for the opportunity to appear today, and I look forward to your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you. That was very timely.

I will now go to the next person, who is from the Assembly of First Nations.

Chief Andrea Paul, will you please begin? You have five minutes.

[Chief Andrea Paul, Regional Chief of Nova Scotia, Assembly of First Nations]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good morning and weli eksitpu'k, Madam Chair, co-chairs and members of the committee. Thank you for your invitation to appear today.

I want to begin by acknowledging that the committee is meeting on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin nation.

My name is Andrea Paul. I am the regional chief for Nova Scotia, and I speak on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations.

The AFN is mandated by First Nations-in-Assembly to advance and protect first nations' inherent, treaty and aboriginal rights, including fisheries rights, and it is in that spirit that I am here today with you.

I want to focus my remarks on the following themes.

First, the AFN sees the timing of fisheries opening and closing dates as a complex interplay of a myriad of issues, not simply operational. Second, there is a clear gap between what is required by law and what happens in practice. Third, we believe that there is a path forward, but it depends on implementation.

First, fisheries timing cross-cuts jurisdiction, governance and management. From the AFN perspective, this is not simply about scheduling or administration. The timing of opening and closing dates reflects who makes decisions, how those decisions are made and whether affected first nations are meaningfully involved. What we are seeing across the country—delayed openings, misaligned seasons and inconsistent decisions—is not new. These issues are tied to a system that is still largely centralized, where decisions are made with limited shared authority and continued reliance on ministerial discretion. The result is that timing decisions often do not reflect ecological realities or first nations jurisdiction, governance or priorities.

First nations fisheries are grounded in inherent and treaty-protected rights recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Supreme Court of Canada has been clear: After conservation, first nations fisheries have priority, but in practice, that priority is not consistently reflected, especially when it comes to timing. When fisheries open too late or not in alignment with migration, access is reduced in a very real way. This is not a question of policy gaps. The frameworks already exist. The issue is implementation, and this is what I mean by the “implementation gap”.

Canada has committed to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which affirms first nations' right to participate in decision-making and the principle of free, prior and informed consent, yet decisions about the opening and closing dates of fisheries are still made largely through centralized processes. That disconnect continues to drive the issues we are discussing today.

This current study is happening in the context of ongoing tensions around salmon allocation, particularly on the Pacific coast. We are seeing increased pressure from different sectors and growing narratives that frame fisheries access as a direct competition between and among user groups.

It's important to be clear here. First nations fisheries are not discretionary allocations. They are rights-based and in many cases are set out in modern land claim agreements as well as historical treaties. Timing decisions are one of the ways these broader pressures show up in practice, often in ways that limit access.

The impacts of these decisions are immediate to first nations. They affect access to food, social and ceremonial fisheries, commercial and communal fisheries and economic opportunities within communities. They also contribute to tension on the water, particularly where access overlaps and enforcement is uneven. These are concerns we continue to hear directly from first nations across the country.

There are also broader management issues that need to be acknowledged. We continue to see gaps in data and monitoring, limited use of indigenous knowledge, and enforcement capacity that is stretched thin. For example, the impacts of catch-and-release fisheries, especially in warmer conditions, are not always fully reflected in decision-making. These pressures add to the challenges of managing already declining stocks.

The path forward is not about creating new policies. It's about doing the work that already has been committed to. That means recognizing first nations as right holders and government partners, moving toward co-developed decision-making and ensuring decisions are predictable, transparent and aligned with section 35. We already are seeing this practice through rights reconciliation agreements and other co-governance approaches.

In closing, the timing of fisheries openings and closures is not an isolated issue. It reflects broader, long-standing challenges in how fisheries are governed in Canada. These challenges have been identified repeatedly, and they remain unresolved. Without a shift toward co-jurisdictional, rights-based management, the same issues will continue to surface, including those related to timing and access.

The AFN encourages the committee to focus on these underlying governance issues and to support approaches that ensure that first nations' rights are fully recognized and implemented in practice.

Wela'lioq. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

I now go to the next witness, who is from the Fisheries Council of Canada: Jason McLinton, president.

You have five minutes, please, Mr. McLinton.

[Jason McLinton, President, Fisheries Council of Canada]

Madam Chair, members of the committee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak as part of your study.

The Fisheries Council of Canada, or FCC, represents the Canadian fishing and seafood industry and promotes a healthy resource and a prosperous industry, which plays a vital role in the Canadian economy.

In most cases, Canada has a track record in how it determines marine harvest seasons. My comments are meant in the spirit of continuous improvement. Processes for opening and closing dates must be predictable and timely, and they must be based on robust core fisheries science. To achieve this, the Government of Canada must invest in core fisheries science, partner with industry to make full use of industry science, and provide ample notice of opening and closing dates.

As with any sector, Canada's fisheries must have predictable and timely processes in place. Our sector faces enough uncertainty in wild fisheries with respect to fluctuating stocks, weather, input costs and so on. Some of these variables are outside of our control, but government decisions about when and who can go fishing must be made predictably and in good time. While this is very often the case, when decisions are made outside of these frameworks and when decisions are made with short notice, significant challenges arise for harvesters and processors.

Robust core fishery science must underpin all of government's decisions in this space. Canadian fisheries would benefit from additional investments in core fishery science, which government can draw upon for its decision-making. In order to minimize unnecessary and unintended negative impacts on our sector and the communities they serve, seafood harvesters and processors must be part of any and all discussions where external considerations are being considered.

Industry is a reliable partner that has the capacity and capability in many fisheries to aid in the collection and analysis of fishery science. With many fisheries, industry is already investing in surveys being used to inform Government of Canada decision-making. There is additional opportunity here. The FCC has had positive initial discussions with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and we look forward to making further progress in this space.

In short, the FCC and its members believe that the processes for determining fishery opening and closing dates must be predictable and timely, and based on robust core fisheries science. To achieve this, the Government of Canada must invest in core fisheries science, partner with industry to make full use of industry science, and provide ample notice of opening and closing dates. In most cases, Canada has a strong record, and it has the opportunity to improve it.

Thank you once again. I would be pleased to answer your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Mr. McLinton.

Now that the witnesses have presented, I will open this up to the question and answer session. The first one is six minutes. The six minutes include questions and answers, so I would like everyone to be as concise as they can.

Beginning with the Conservatives, we have Mr. Arnold for six minutes, please.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank all the witnesses for appearing today.

This study has come to light as being very important to harvesters of all types, due to safety, access and so on.

Mr. Wareham, I'll start with you. You mentioned that the delays in openings have caused significant loss of prime harvest time and so on. What would be a typical time for the season to be announced, and how much of a delay did you see in some of these?

[Alberto Wareham]

Thank you very much for your question.

Given what happened in 2025, we tried to improve on that in 2026. The science for northern cod was announced in late March. I think the technical briefing was made public on April 1 or 2. DFO then had a groundfish advisory meeting earlier than normal. They had it on April 8, working toward the decision the next week or so. We did move it up this year to try to get.... Everybody was around the table. After we had the science, they gave their opinions on what the quota should be and how we should manage the fishery.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Newfoundland—specifically for northern cod—issues paper licences today. I don't know if they do that everywhere, but they do it in Newfoundland. It's a two-week process. Even if we get a decision in the next week and then the industry agrees that we're going to open on July 1, we have to go back two weeks.

DFO requires two weeks' notice to actually issue the licence conditions to the fishermen. There's a minimum of a two-week delay from the day the quota is announced to when you can have an opening date. We have a spawning closure, as I said in my opening remarks, in place through June 30 right now. The earliest that northern cod can open is July 1. To do that, we need a decision in the next week or so.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

Are harvesters willing to move to an electronic notice? What are the impediments to going to a faster, more efficient process?

[Alberto Wareham]

It's hard for me to speak on behalf of the harvesters. I would think that's more of a question for the department. Can the department get there?

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

You're unsure whether the department has the capacity to move away from the paper type of licences?

[Alberto Wareham]

That would be my question.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

We have seen over the years, when seasons were closed basically at the drop of a hat, that harvesters who were on the water harvesting found out that the season was closed. That didn't take two weeks to happen. Why is there a difference, in your understanding?

[Alberto Wareham]

I can't answer that question on why it's a paper licence requirement today, in 2026. I do know that in terms of closing dates, the catches are monitored very closely, and the system is updated within 48 hours in Newfoundland. We're keenly aware of when cod closures will happen, based on the catch.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

The department is able to issue closure notices electronically, by hailing boats and so on. It can happen quite quickly.

[Alberto Wareham]

Yes.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

They aren't capable of doing the same process for opening.

[Alberto Wareham]

That's my understanding today.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

You mentioned that harvesters missed the best opportunities to harvest. Can you elaborate a little on that?

[Alberto Wareham]

As I said, northern cod is a migratory stock. It spends its winter in the offshore. It comes in late June or early July to feed, spawn and eat capelin, and then it goes back out for its life in the winter again. It's physically in the inshore from late June through early September. That's when it's physically there.

If we're going to have the maximum catching ability for inshore cod in Newfoundland, we need to get it open on July 1. That's the earliest it can open today.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

We've heard some suggest that if it is late in opening, the season should be extended. Is that as valuable as those prime times at the early opening date?

[Alberto Wareham]

No. For me, it would be better to open it as soon as we can, because that's when the fish are there and the weather allows fishermen and inshore day boats to fish. When you extend into the fall, then you're pushing the weather, you're pushing safety and the fish move into deeper water. It's not the same. A delayed closure is not as good as an early opening.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

Mr. McLinton, are you able to elaborate any further on this, from what you heard from harvesters?

[Jason McLinton]

Thanks, Mr. Arnold.

I've heard this from other witnesses, and certainly from my perspective and from everything I've been hearing from members, we need to be meaningfully consulted on things that have an impact on us. In terms of moving, in 2026, from a paper-based system to an electronic-based system, I think that is definitely worth exploring. We want to make sure that we do that in such a way that it doesn't have unintended negative impacts on somebody's systems or processes that may be built around that. We should absolutely have a meaningful discussion around that.

It's about predictability and transparency in terms of opening and closing dates. If something is having an impact on an opening date—I think, for the most part, Canada has a very strong track record for this, but if there is an impact—it would be good to know what legitimately triggers that and how industry can contribute. The more predictable and timely it is, the better. We'd like to avoid late openings, late closures and that sort of thing to the extent possible.