Evelyn Soo, Alistair Struthers and Joanne Volk made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Serge Cormier moved, — That,

(a) the committee recognize that:

(i) Atlantic salmon populations are experiencing a critical and ongoing decline in several rivers in New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador,

(ii) Atlantic salmon is an iconic species essential to the balance of aquatic ecosystems and to the economic, cultural, and social vitality of many coastal and Indigenous communities,

(iii) despite conservation efforts undertaken in recent years, salmon returns remain at historically low levels,

(iv) the rapid and unprecedented growth of the striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, particularly in the Miramichi River, has resulted in increased predation pressure on smolts and juvenile salmon, raising serious concerns about the survival of Atlantic salmon in adjacent rivers,

(v) predation by seal populations in eastern Canada is also a concerning factor affecting the survival of Atlantic salmon, both in estuarine environments and at sea,

(vi) without timely and appropriate management measures regarding predator populations, this could compromise efforts to restore Atlantic salmon stocks;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake an urgent study of no more than four meetings on the decline of Atlantic salmon, with particular consideration given to the impact of the current striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and predation by seals, the available scientific data, existing management measures, and concrete options that could be implemented rapidly to restore Atlantic salmon populations;

(c) as part of this study, the committee invite to appear representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, salmon conservation organizations, outfitting operators, recreational fishing guides, affected Indigenous communities, and independent scientists specializing in population dynamics;

(d) the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and

(e) pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request the government to table a comprehensive response to its report.

Debate arose thereon.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That,

(a) the committee recognize that:

(i) Atlantic salmon populations are experiencing a critical and ongoing decline in several rivers in New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, including throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Strait of Belle Isle region,

(ii) Atlantic salmon is an iconic species essential to the balance of aquatic ecosystems and to the economic, cultural, and social vitality of many coastal and Indigenous communities,

(iii) despite conservation efforts undertaken in recent years, salmon returns remain at historically low levels,

(iv) the rapid and unprecedented growth of the striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, particularly in the Miramichi River, has resulted in increased predation pressure on smolts and juvenile salmon, raising serious concerns about the survival of Atlantic salmon in adjacent rivers,

(v) the decline is also observed in areas where striped bass are scarce or absent, such as in the Strait of Belle Isle, underscoring the importance of examining mortality factors during marine and estuarine migration more broadly,

(vi) predation by seal populations in eastern Canada is also a concerning factor affecting the survival of Atlantic salmon, both in estuarine environments and at sea,

(vii) without timely and appropriate management measures regarding predator populations, this could compromise efforts to restore Atlantic salmon stocks;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake an urgent study of no more than four meetings on the decline of Atlantic salmon, with consideration given to the impact of the current striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and predation by seals, as well as general conditions, mortality factors during migration, and available scientific data throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Strait of Belle Isle, existing management measures, and concrete options that could be implemented rapidly to restore Atlantic salmon populations;

(c) as part of this study, the committee invite to appear representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, salmon conservation organizations, outfitting operators, recreational fishing guides, affected Indigenous communities, and independent scientists specializing in population dynamics;

(d) the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and

(e) pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request the government to table a comprehensive response to its report.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Mel Arnold, Paul Connors, Serge Cormier, Chris d'Entremont, Hedy Fry, Aaron Gunn, Ernie Klassen, Eric Melillo, Robert Morrissey, Mario Simard, Clifford Small — 11;

NAYS: — 0.