Fisheries Committee on Oct. 21st, 2025

I think it really comes down to the viability of an enterprise and the profit margins. Right now, the way that the market is portrayed, you're catching a 25¢ or 27¢ fish, and with the expenses that are incurred at an enterprise today, you would need three million or four million pounds just to keep a 65-foot vessel and its crew occupied for the season. Between the market and the amount of quota that's being issued to each individual enterprise, it's unsustainable and very unviable. Profit is far too distant.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Connors Liberal Avalon, NL

Going back to your previous statements, I agree with you about the hype from a few years ago about the redfish. One problem that happened—I'm not sure who can control it—is that the fish are not growing to the size to be marketable. That's probably why there are only 25¢ or 30¢ fish. Do you see any reason that they're not growing to a size that would be marketable and, probably, get a better price?

Fish Harvester, As an Individual

While not knowing all of the parameters that are making up the environmental aspects in the gulf region, I would think that any time you have a species of any animal—predator or prey—there's only so much the ecosystem can withstand before nature starts looking after its surroundings. In this case, I guess the redfish are that abundant that they are not only eating other species of fish, they are eating themselves. I was speaking to a processor here last week. The puddicks of the redfish contained herring, capelin and juvenile redfish.

It's to a point that the biomass got to such a level that it has to eat. It doesn't matter what's in front of it. I don't imagine any fish species has a particular palate when it comes to the entrée for tonight. If it's going to consume more calories than it expels catching the prey that's in front of it, then it's going to try to eat it. I guess this is to the point where the stock got to where it was and getting to today, and it's holding back the size that it's able to grow.

Liberal

Paul Connors Liberal Avalon, NL

Using your analysis there of why they're not growing, we're sort of in a catch-22. They're not big enough for the market so we need to diversify the markets or something. Do you see anywhere where markets could be diversified so quotas can be properly increased to make it profitable for businesses like yourself?

Fish Harvester, As an Individual

Right now, in particular, any pot fishery, lobsters and crab in particular.... Here in Atlantic Canada we have a vast number of harvesters who partake in lobster fisheries and crab fisheries. The size that this redfish is now makes for perfect bait. You couldn't ask for any better. It stands up well. It's attractive to the lobsters and the crab. That alone is a massive market, and that's only here in Atlantic Canada. There are pot fishers globally. I would imagine it would be quite attractive as a lower-cost bait for those fisheries.

Liberal

Paul Connors Liberal Avalon, NL

Do you feel that you would get better than 25¢ to 30¢ a pound for fish if it was sold as bait?

Fish Harvester, As an Individual

Sir, I fish lobsters in the spring of the year. I'm paying, right now, 90¢ a pound for that very same redfish.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler

Thank you very much.

We will conclude with Mr. Deschênes for two and a half minutes.

Bloc

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Bernatchez, I would like to continue the discussion on the issue of transfers. You said in your presentation that support measures should not be set in stone.

I would like you to clarify your thoughts in response to the question asked by my colleague. Do you think that the crab allocation for lobster fishers in southern Gaspésie should be shared? You said that it is a delicate issue, and I agree.

You also said that potential transfers should be examined. Were you thinking of exploratory licences? Do you think that crab allocations are one of the tools that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should use to compensate for certain difficulties?

Director General, Coopérative des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie

Claudio Bernatchez

I am speaking in general terms: It could be crab quotas for associations or exploratory licences for lobster. We could also talk about quotas for other species for other associations around the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In the past, assistance measures have been provided to various associations to help them overcome a crisis or to help their fishers overcome it. I suggest that we reflect on this, thinking about what already exists and what could be done.

We should also ask ourselves whether this resource, associated with a dollar value, is being used in the best possible way. The idea is not to take anything away from anyone, but we should at least ask ourselves whether we can do things differently with the available allocations.

Bloc

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

You include everything.

Director General, Coopérative des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie

Claudio Bernatchez

Absolutely. You can’t deal with a specific topic; you really have to take the time to look at the work as a whole.

Bloc

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

Let me take the example of exploratory fishing licences that have been issued: If shrimp stocks recover over the next few years, do you think DFO should check whether shrimp boats are regaining ground and, if so, consider transferring their licences to other fleets?