Questions and responses 45th Parliament, 1st session May 26, 2025, to present

With regard to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' decision to close commercial fishing for mackerel in Atlantic Canada: (a) what was the amount of mackerel in the region before the moratorium; (b) what is the amount of mackerel in the region now; (c) when was the last time the amount of mackerel in the region was considered at strong enough levels in order to not have a moratorium; (d) what threshold would make the mackerel stock eligible to have the moratorium lifted with regard to the (i) size of the mackerel, (ii) size of the biomass; (e) when was the most recent biomass assessment of the mackerel data and what departments and personnel were involved in collecting the data; (f) what specific scientific models or methodologies were used in the biomass and stock assessments; (g) who was involved in the decision-making process for the moratorium, including (i) government departments, (ii) government officials, (iii) third-party advisory bodies, (iv) provincial government officials, (v) provincial government departments, (vi) industry professionals; (h) what indicators or benchmarks are used to evaluate recovery progress during the moratorium; (i) are local and regional perspectives being considered in the monitoring of stock health; (j) how does Canada's mackerel stock assessment align with, or differ from, those conducted by other jurisdictions facing similar issues; (k) is Canada working with any of the other jurisdictions for joint action on mackerel stocks, and, if so, what are the details; (l) what economic impact assessments were conducted prior to the moratorium's implementation; and (m) what is the government's assessment of how the moratorium is affecting trade of Canada's mackerel stock?

With regard to the recreational groundfish fishing seasons in the Lower St. Lawrence, in Gaspésie: (a) why, in recent years, has recreational groundfish fishing not been continuous in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization area 4ST, but instead intermittent with a spring opening followed by a fishing prohibition lasting several weeks that varies by sub-area, but generally falling in July and early August; (b) what criteria does the Department of Fisheries and Oceans use to determine the recreational groundfish fishing season in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization area 4ST; (c) does the status of groundfish stocks determine recreational fishing seasons, and, if so, what scientific evidence supports this determination; (d) is the availability of fishery officers to ensure enforcement considered when determining recreational fishing dates, and, if so, what has been the impact on recent decisions; and (e) are school holiday and summer vacation periods considered when determining recreational fishing dates, and, if so, what has been the impact on recent decisions?