Thanks very much for the question.
In terms of the reduction, I'll ask Mr. Hegge to respond, perhaps more accurately. But it reflects a change from the ocean action plan phase one funding, which was about $14 million a year, to the announcement in the budget of a number of health-of-the-ocean initiatives at, I think, $19.2 million over two years, which is some $9 million a year. So there is a reduction.
That being said, we were pleased to see the elements announced in the budget for health of the oceans. And that includes continued funding for marine-protected areas and for some issues that I know have been of great concern to this committee--ballast water and so on and so forth.
Certainly within the department, as well, we are looking at what we have done on integrated oceans management in five large ocean management areas, and we are striving internally to ensure that we don't lose momentum in that area. In terms of bilateral relationships with the Americans, I think it continued funding for the work that has been going on in the Gulf of Maine.
So although the overall numbers went down, in the areas that have been highlighted in the question, there is money there. Certainly the program does have momentum and it does have an absolute need to continue to move forward, because it's part of the answer to the fishery. It's part of the answer to a lot of things. We're taking an ecosystem approach, and an integrated oceans management approach is what's required.
I would also say that the provinces are there. British Columbia has reorganized for this. Newfoundland is there, in the same sense. So we're working very closely with provinces. In terms of the funding, we'll certainly take maximum advantage of the new funding we have. We will look carefully at our A-base to ensure that this priority gets the attention it needs, to the best of our ability.