Fisheries and Oceans

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met to continue its study of Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic herring fisheries. Witnesses included Lucas DesRoches, a commercial mackerel fisherman; Dominique Robert, a professor at the Université du Québec à Rimouski; Mark Arsenault, president of the Prince County Fishermen's Association; Trevor Barlow, a fisherman; and Ghislain Collin, president of the Regroupement des pêcheurs pélagiques professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie.

Lucas DesRoches testified that mackerel stocks appear to be recovering, based on his on-the-water observations, but that DFO science is not reflecting this due to flawed sampling methods, such as using too few nets or hooks, which he said yield inaccurate data. He recommended a "bait first" approach to reduce costs for fishermen, and suggested that if a commercial fishery opens, it should include individual quotas to prevent monopolies and that Canada should fish its share of the transboundary stock rather than let the U.S. harvest it.

Dominique Robert stated that both mackerel and southern Gulf spring herring stocks remain in the critical zone, with biomass at about 30% of the limit reference point, due to high predation and poor juvenile survival linked to warming waters. He recommended keeping fishing as low as possible until recovery is observed, continuing research to identify the Canadian contingent in U.S. catches, and establishing a joint stock assessment and management strategy with the United States, noting that the U.S. quota increase could undermine Canada's recovery plan.

Mark Arsenault reported seeing a noticeable increase in mackerel schools and size in recent years, and highlighted that high bait costs—up to $50,000 for a two-month lobster season—are a major burden on fishermen. He questioned why American fleets can harvest from the northern stock while Canadian fishers have no access, and requested limited access to a spring herring fishery to reduce bait costs, emphasizing that fishermen have a strong interest in protecting the resource.

Trevor Barlow testified that spring herring stocks appear to have made a strong recovery, but that DFO's acoustic survey has been reduced in scope, creating a coverage gap that underestimates biomass. He argued that the mackerel fishery's collapse was due to management-induced capacity increases, not overfishing, and that a total closure provides zero data; he recommended reopening commercial fisheries immediately with responsible management measures, and noted that fishermen's observations are not aligned with DFO science.

Ghislain Collin advocated for a regulated reopening of the commercial fishery, arguing that it would provide essential scientific data through mandatory reporting, support jobs in coastal regions, and supply quality bait, unlike the bait fishery, which he said provides little data and is difficult to monitor. He called for priority access for fleets affected by the moratorium when emerging fisheries open, and noted that fishermen in the Gaspésie region are observing abundant mackerel, but that DFO has not engaged on financial compensation for those impacted by the closure.

During questioning, witnesses disagreed with Professor Robert's assessment of stock health, with DesRoches and Barlow arguing that DFO's data collection methods are flawed and that fishermen's observations indicate stronger stocks. Barlow also noted that ENGOs have increasing influence at advisory meetings, while harvesters have limited seats. The committee briefly discussed a motion to report the minister's failure to appear on a separate study, with the chair indicating the report would be tabled in the House soon.