Madam Chair, there are valid concerns that need to be thoroughly understood. For instance, the mark-selective fisheries will still encounter wild chinook. We need to make sure that the mortality of stocks of concern are accounted for as we move forward with an MSF, so that they do not adversely impact the wild stocks.
We know that this is an important initiative for recreational fishers. We want to work with them to find the best ways forward, but we know that to do this work, there need to be a lot more consultations done. The department is currently conducting a pilot project with regard to the hatchery chinook in conjunction with the project exploring the applications of new stock assessments. These are all things that have to be done as we move forward. It is extremely important for recreational fishers, but we have to make sure that we protect the wild Pacific salmon stocks.