Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Montmorency—Charlevoix to present a petition on the overabundance of striped bass in the St. Lawrence River.
Residents and fishers say that the striped bass population has increased sharply in recent years, creating a major ecological imbalance and putting a lot of pressure on the other species that our fishers depend on for their livelihood. Now they are having trouble catching their quotas.
The petition highlights a regulatory inconsistency. Striped bass fishing is allowed downstream but not upstream in the St. Lawrence River, which is where overabundance is an issue. In particular, residents are calling for collaboration with scientists to demonstrate that there are stocks in the river and to implement adaptive management measures, including expanding the recreational striped bass fishery and holding transparent consultations with fishers.
Despite the Government of Quebec sending a favourable opinion to the Minister of Fisheries, I must point out that today is the fifth time a petition has been presented in the House and no response has been given yet.
I therefore urge the government to act without delay.