Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thanks, folks, for being here. That was some great testimony.
I want to take a moment to thank all the members around the table who supported my private member's bill last night on mercury-bearing light bulbs. That was certainly a highlight of my life.
This government has made a firm commitment to improving and supporting ocean research and innovation. I am pleased that my riding of Dartmouth–Cole Harbour has a new Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship. I think Dr. Metaxas knows it as COVE. Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada are known worldwide for their outstanding ocean research at Dalhousie and other universities. I am thrilled, Doctor, that you could be here today from Halifax to join us.
With our vast oceans, as you mentioned, protecting 10% of our marine environment means basically monitoring 710,000 square kilometres. How can we best monitor MPAs while managing the huge associated cost? Is this a good opportunity for further ocean innovation projects? Do you have any quick thoughts on that? Is there anything out there that our government should know, or could learn from you on this?