QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Recreational Fishery
June 4, 2024
Welcome to the Senate, minister. My question comes from Mr. Ford Adams, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
A recent petition concerning the recreational cod fishery was initiated by Mr. Graham Wood of Lewisporte and presented to your government by MP Clifford Small. It notes that providing 3 days per week in the summer and 10 days in the fall creates an urgency amongst participants to go fishing, even when the weather causes safety issues. The boats participating in this fishery are often small; I can see them out on the bay when the fog allows it.
DFO says the biomass assessment methodology has recently changed. It now provides evidence of more cod than in previous assessments. Does the minister intend to adjust the open dates of this fishery to allow for a longer, less risk-prone schedule?
I’m currently looking into the situation with the recreational fishery, so that we can account for the impact that it may have on cod stocks.
Minister, does DFO have any plans to delay the announcement of the recreational food fishery dates and regulations until mid to late June? The recent petition notes that this disadvantages both fishers and tourists in scheduling their participation in the fishery. Isn’t it possible for DFO to announce the dates and regulations by May 1 of each year? This would facilitate people’s participation in the fishery.
I hear what you’re saying, but it depends on what kind of winter we have. We’ll try to get the information out to people as quickly as possible.
This winter, there was no ice in the gulf or on the St. Lawrence River, and the fishing season started earlier. We will have to adapt from year to year because of climate change and the impact it’s having on our oceans.
