Adam Burns made a statement and, with Bernard Vigneault, Sylvain Vézina and Todd Williams, answered questions.

At 5:40 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:43 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of population sustainability of Yukon salmon stocks, the proposed budget in the amount of $206,612.40, for the committee’s travel to Whitehorse, Carmacks and Dawson City, Yukon, in the spring 2024, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,500, for the study of the plans to prevent violence during the 2024 elver fishing season, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $6,000, for the study of the scales used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to set redfish quotas, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the witness list for the study of the issue of derelict and abandoned vessels be submitted to the clerk of the committee by Friday, March 15, 2024, at 5 p.m.

It was agreed, — That, notwithstanding any previous decision by the committee, that two meetings be added to the motion of Lisa Marie Barron adopted on February 8, 2024, on the issue of derelict and abandoned vessels to include the Arctic and Atlantic coasts in the study.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of six meetings to examine the issue of derelict and abandoned vessels on Canada’s West coast, the Arctic and Atlantic coasts, 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, the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to appear for no fewer than two hours regarding the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023-24 and that this meeting take place as soon as possible, but no later than March 21, 2024.