Evidence of meeting #5 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 fishers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Okay.
We know that your industry, like many others, like shrimp and turbot, is struggling.
You mentioned other permits earlier. Have you ever been a lobster fisher?
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Yes. I did pelagic fishing—
Liberal
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
No. When the pelagic fishery started to decline and the spring herring fishery closed, I managed to buy a lobster licence. I prepared a financial plan and was able to buy a lobster licence in 2021.
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
No. I sold it.
The original provision said that those who had sold crustacean licences could not participate in the draw. It was clear to us, and it was also normal that I did not get an exploratory lobster fishing licence. It is for the members I represent.
Liberal
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
I represent 15 members.
Liberal
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Yes. That is the main fishery.
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Three other members had one.
There were four of us, and that is why we said it gave the other members of our group more chances.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Okay.
In terms of the new licences that were issued, why do you think you only had two licences? I want people to understand that. You have only had two. Is that correct?
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
We did not get any licence.
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
No. It was pelagic fishers in the northern Gaspé, whom we do not know, who got licences.
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
No. No one in my group was issued a licence.
Liberal
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
No.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Two pelagic fishers were able to obtain licences, but they are not members of your group.
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
Since they said we were not representative, they talked to other pelagic fishers we do not know.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Okay.
Since your fleet is in trouble, I assume that, like other fleets in the same situation, you would certainly like to obtain a share of these new exploratory licences or licences for other species.
Is that correct?
President, Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
We would have relied on the random draw. If a member had been able to participate and had not gotten any, we would have accepted the result of the draw, but they did not even get a chance to participate.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I am a little more familiar with how it works in my region, which is right across from yours.
For example, for the Maritime Fishermen's Union, since 1999 and 2000, there has been a sharing of resources for snow crab, as you know. A certain percentage of the resources are allocated to inshore and indigenous fishers, and the quotas they receive, such as crab, can help their members get through difficult times. Let me remind you that my father fished lobster all his life.
In your region, there is the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie. Their representatives will be here later on. The members of the Regroupement also receive snow crab allocations, do they not?