Rick Perkins moved, — That, given reports concerning the illegal elver fishery in Atlantic Canada and violence that occurred in the 2023 fishing season, the committee agrees to hear plans prepared by the federal government to prevent further incidences of violence this fishing season, the committee agrees to hear testimony from: the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard, with departmental officials responsible for law enforcement; the Canada Border Service Agency; and the RCMP, that the committee draft a letter at the end of the study with its recommendations to the Minister invited, and that the committee agree to begin this study at its next scheduled meeting.

At 3:43 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:56 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 4:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:25 p.m., the sitting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, given reports concerning the illegal elver fishery in Atlantic Canada and violence that occurred in the 2023 fishing season, the committee agrees to hear plans prepared by the federal government to prevent further incidences of violence this fishing season, the committee agrees to hear testimony from: the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard, with departmental officials responsible for law enforcement; the Canada Border Service Agency; and the RCMP, that the committee draft a letter at the end of the study with its recommendations to the Minister invited, and that the committee agree to begin this study at its next scheduled meeting for two meetings.

At 4:38 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:46 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the committee move to committee business.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of not less than four meetings to examine the issue of derelict and abandoned vessels on Canada’s West coast, the impacts of such vessels on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, and the role of the federal government in relation to the issue;

- that this study take place immediately following the scheduled study on population sustainability of Pacific salmon stocks;

- that the committee call witnesses including senior DFO officials, indigenous governing bodies, provincial government representatives, organizations representing coastal residents, and industry representatives;

- that the committee report its findings with recommendations in a report to the House of Commons;

- that, pursuant to standing order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of up to eight meetings to conduct a comprehensive review of the Fishery Act 2019; and that,

1) the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House;

2) the committee invite a wide array of stakeholders to comment on the act since its last update in 2019, including but not limited to a) industry experts and harvesters and representatives from labour organizations, b) indigenous harvesters and community representatives, c) representatives from environmental and conservancy organizations;

3) the committee invite stakeholders to submit written submissions regarding the Fishery Act, beginning at the time this motion is adopted and concluding at the end of the meetings assigned to this study and that these submissions be entered into the record as part of the study;

4) the committee dedicate two of the meetings to representatives from northern and remote regions;

5) the committee begin this immediately after the study on wrecked and abandoned vessels proposed by MP Barron.

Additionally, the committee request that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government issue a comprehensive response to the committee's recommendations.