Anna Metaxas, Kendra MacDonald and Dwan Street made statements and answered questions.

Robert Morrissey moved, — That,
(a) the committee recognizes that,
(i) Atlantic Mackerel is a key forage species and source of bait for many fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec,
(ii) mackerel fishing has been affected because Fisheries and Oceans Canada's science indicates that the species is in the critical zone in Canadian waters,
(iii) harvesters have witnessed large schools of mackerel while on the water, and videos on social media have shown evidence of large mackerel schools over the last year, raising questions about the health of the stock,
(iv) the United States is planning to increase its quota for Atlantic Mackerel which could put new strain on Canada's fishery, ecosystem health, and stock rebuilding plans;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2),
(i) the committee conduct a six-meeting study on Canada's mackerel fishery, the current rebuilding plan for Atlantic Mackerel, the science and analysis of mackerel in Canadian waters, the recent United States science on mackerel, and the potential impacts that increased United States fishing could have on Canada’s mackerel stocks,
(ii) the committee hears from harvesters, as well as scientific experts,
(iii) the committee reports its findings and recommendations to the House; and

Debate arose thereon.

At 11:51 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:52 a.m., the meeting 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,
(a) the committee recognizes that,
(i) Atlantic Mackerel is a key forage species and source of bait for many fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec,
(ii) mackerel fishing has been affected because Fisheries and Oceans Canada's science indicates that the species is in the critical zone in Canadian waters,
(iii) harvesters have witnessed large schools of mackerel while on the water, and videos on social media have shown evidence of large mackerel schools over the last year, raising questions about the health of the stock,
(iv) the United States is planning to increase its quota for Atlantic Mackerel which could put new strain on Canada's fishery, ecosystem health, and stock rebuilding plans;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2),
(i) the committee conduct a six-meeting study on Canada's mackerel fishery, the current rebuilding plan for Atlantic Mackerel, the science and analysis of mackerel in Canadian waters, the recent United States science on mackerel, and the potential impacts that increased United States fishing could have on Canada’s mackerel stocks,
(ii) the situation of Atlantic herring also be studied,
(iii) the committee hears from harvesters, as well as scientific experts,
(iv) the committee reports its findings and recommendations to the House; and

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 12:01 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:04 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Aaron Heidt, Richard Paton and Francis Skeard made statements and answered questions.

Paul Connors gave notice of the following motion:

That,
(a) the committee recognizes that,
(i) small craft harbours are essential infrastructure for a robust and successful fishery,
(ii) safe, well maintained small craft harbours assist in fishery operations and improve safety for harvesters, local community members, and individuals who work around the water,
(iii) there are concerns from communities and harvesters that the funding process and designs for small craft harbours need to be streamlined and improved,
(iv) this new government was elected to cut red tape and remove barriers for industry so that we can grow one strong Canadian economy;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2),
(i) the committee undertake a 6-meeting study on the Small Craft Harbour Program, it’s funding and implementation, the capacity of harbour authorities in managing and delivering small scale upgrades, and improvements that can be made to remove red tape and streamline the program,
(ii) the committee reports its findings and recommendations to the House; and

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

Alexis Deschênes gave notice of the following motion:

That,
(a) the committee undertake a study on the management of recreational and traditional clam fishing (Mya arenaria) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Chaleur Bay within a maximum period of six months;

(b) the study specifically address:
(i) the opening of new shellfish harvesting areas in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region and elsewhere in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
(ii) public support for the opening of new sites,
(iii) changes in federal resources allocated to recreational and traditional clam fishing since 1980,
(iv) the operation of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP);

(c) the study aims to identify concrete solutions to increase the number of locations open to recreational and traditional harvesting, while ensuring public health and the sustainability of the resource, in particular, through reinvestment in testing programs and improved collaboration with local communities, Indigenous peoples, and municipalities; and

(d) the committee invites representatives from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, clam fishermen, representatives of the Mi'kmaq Nation, as well as biologists and other environmental experts working for research centers to appear before it.

At 1:00 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 1:03 p.m., the meeting resumed in camera.

The committee proceeded to give additional drafting instructions to the analysts for a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the clerk be instructed to draft a letter raising the committee’s concerns to Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the handling of an official’s planned appearance as an individual.

ORDERED, — That the clerk, in consultation with the Chair and the two Vice-Chairs, prepare a letter to raise the committee’s concerns to Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the handling of an official’s planned appearance as an individual.