I have two points. One is that I accept what you're saying about assumptions. In science it's perfectly acceptable to make assumptions; it's just never acceptable to forget them. So I'm glad you're examining the assumptions.
My last question comes back to habitat. Perhaps this is one for Ginny Flood, as she's in habitat.
The region I'm concerned about, of course, is the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino in particular. It was a peripheral issue in the last discussion--small craft harbours and eel grass.
I have resort owners there who have harbours. There's a tremendous tidal flow in that inlet, in and out, silted in. Eel grass is growing into some of these resort harbours, and they just can't get permission to remove it without having to go through expensive transplant operations. There are tons of eel grass in the area.
What can be done to expedite this? Somebody gets the bright idea to protect eel grass, but there's lots of it in the area, and surely, traditional use has to be taken into consideration.