Fisheries committee  Thank you. I'll start off with a response and speak to you from the perspective of the science branch. As you know, DFO is a science-based department. The science sector within DFO is responsible for producing science advice that contributes to the department's mandate. When r

Fisheries committee  The specific point about Tenacibaculum was not brought up as part of the technical briefings we had with the first nations. Their primary interest in the briefings that we provided really revolved around the nine risk assessments, and that had been—

Fisheries committee  I wasn't involved in any of the briefings with the minister or with the minister's consultations with the first nations.

Fisheries committee  I think the question was if there would be any intentional releases, and certainly I'm not aware of any intentional release. In terms of the assessment we did on that particular application, we assessed it for its containment abilities, both physical and biological, and our asse

Fisheries committee  I'm certainly not aware of any interest or application of genetically modified organisms being introduced into the aquatic environment. The particular case that we provided the risk assessment on was based solely on land-based containment that had multiple layers of biological an

Fisheries committee  I can start by answering that question. I might need clarification on the latter part. I'm certainly not aware of any research under way in the department that would be genetically modifying any fish species for any purpose, whether it's aquaculture or conservation, and introduci

Fisheries committee  Certainly. As you mentioned, there are certainly harmful algal blooms that have occurred. This is a phenomenon that's been known for a long time. It's not a new phenomenon by any means. There are known triggers, such as temperature. Certain nutrient levels can also cause these t

Fisheries committee  Again, as Arran just mentioned, that's really a question that should be directed towards our management colleagues. It's really a decision on their part as to what approach and advice we should be providing to the minister in terms of decisions in that area. What I can say is th

Fisheries committee  Sure. I didn't mention her by name, but on the question from Mr. Strahl and the strategic salmon health initiative project I was referring to, Dr. Miller-Saunders is the departmental lead on that particular project. As I mentioned, it's a fairly large collaborative project betw

Fisheries committee  There certainly has been one recent study that has been published, but—

Fisheries committee  Right. That has really been the only recent research publication on that virus. From a regulatory perspective, in terms of the presence of potential diseases in our water, it's the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that has the responsibility for investigating the presence of dis

Fisheries committee  Under the new funding, the CFIA does not receive any new money, but within DFO.... As I mentioned, the CFIA has the regulatory responsibility for regulating aquatic animal diseases. DFO has the responsibility for undertaking research, as well as providing diagnostic testing in su

Fisheries committee  I'm not quite sure I would characterize the department's role as a promoter of aquaculture. Certainly they have a regulatory role, and in some respects an enabling role, but maybe that's getting into semantics. Certainly within the department there is quite a clear distinction

Fisheries committee  Yes, certainly. You're in part probably referring to the recent news release from the department noting some of the ongoing work we have in terms of the potential finding of HSMI in B.C. There have been several studies under way for a number of years that are related to both PRV

Fisheries committee  Thank you. I'm certainly not aware of any particular instance of that occurring. As part of the decision-making, a number of pieces of information are considered by management and the minister in making siting decisions for giving aquaculture leases. I should also note, of co