Fisheries Committee on Oct. 9th, 2025

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Discussions are under way for you to receive this data, but you don’t have it yet. Is that correct?

[Annette Gibbons]

We don’t have the data for the first phase yet. We are in the process of collecting it.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Okay. I understand that you don’t have the data for first nations, but for other catches, by and large, it’s pretty good this year.

However, what other steps will you take to ensure that it would be safe to open phase 2 of the exploratory fishery?

[Annette Gibbons]

We will hold consultations as we did for the first phase of awarding these licences. We held extensive consultations with the industry before moving forward. We will therefore hold consultations before moving to the second phase.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

You are going to hold consultations, okay. However, don’t you need to conduct additional scientific surveys? Will this be done to assess the state of the resource after the first harvest?

[Annette Gibbons]

We are still conducting scientific studies. I can’t give you the exact dates of the surveys in these three areas, but the department and scientists are constantly updating the scientific data. There is also the harvest, consultations and advisory committees, which allow us to gather information from all these sources before making a decision.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Okay.

The question of the method used to obtain accurate data on what has been caught has also been raised. For lobster fishing, we do not weigh the catch at the dock. Some stakeholders suggest that this should be done. How do you see this at the department?

[Annette Gibbons]

I did not understand the second part of your question.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

It was about weighing lobsters dockside.

[Annette Gibbons]

The weighing?

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Yes, I was talking about weighing, which ensures that we have the correct data on lobster catches.

[Annette Gibbons]

Yes.

Mr. Burns, would you like to answer the question?

[Adam Burns, Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

It is crucial to obtain the most up-to-date data. One of the challenges with dock weighing for lobster is the number of docks where fishers land their catch. This would require a very significant investment and would also entail costs for fishers.

We use electronic logbooks. We receive data from buyers and processors. We look at all this data to determine whether it is correct and whether it is reliable data that we can use to make our management decisions.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Do you think that the current process allows you to obtain reliable data?

[Adam Burns]

Yes, I think so. Our scientists conduct analyses and can provide us with information on the state of stocks in areas where commercial lobster fishing takes place.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Ms. Gibbons, I will turn to you in closing.

Of course, there are fishers who are in the second phase and are eagerly waiting to find out if they will be able to go out and fish for lobster on an exploratory basis starting next year. In your process, when will the decision to open a second phase or not be made for the 2026 season?

[Annette Gibbons]

I can’t give an exact date. We’re not there yet. However, we are always aware of the fact that we need to provide as much information as possible as early as possible, because fishers need to prepare for the fishing season.

Often, stock assessments are what cause us to make decisions later than would be desirable, but this is a matter of stock biology. Sometimes, we are unable to complete scientific studies before it is nearly time to start fishing. We are doing our best and are aware of the industry’s needs.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

It could go until April.

[Annette Gibbons]

I cannot give you an answer.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Mr. Deschênes. Your six minutes of speaking time are up.

That ends the first round of questioning and moves us into the second five-minute round.

We're starting with Mr. Gunn for five minutes or less.

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

When it comes to decision-making at DFO, are the decisions based on science or on politics and ideology?

[Annette Gibbons]

The Fisheries Act guides decision-making at DFO. Conservation of the stock is a key factor. Considerations around and the obligations for the rights of rights holders and indigenous communities are a factor. Socio-economic considerations are another area that the minister has the authority to take into account.

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

I think you were getting to this. Who has the ultimate decision-making authority when it comes to things like openings, closings and quota allocation at the department?

[Annette Gibbons]

The decisions on fisheries are made in different ways, depending on the fishery.

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Who has the ultimate decision-making authority?