I think you are talking about a 30 per cent drop on the markets. In the Magdalen Islands, protecting the resource is what is important, and that seems to be well in hand. A certain volume of the available lobster biomass is landed here. That does not seem to be in doubt. It is the sale of processed products that appears uncertain.
The Local Development Centre, or LDC, works very closely with the maritime fisheries industrial processors to see how business partnerships can be developed and to maximize the positive spinoffs associated with lobster landings in the Magdalen Islands. For a long time, the spawn market had priority and that continues to be the case. For many years now, we have noted an increase in the amount of lobster being processed in the plants. The industrial processors are trying to maximize volumes and are focusing more and more on value-added.
There is no doubt that in an island community such as ours, you have to build partnerships and linkages with the outside. I believe industrial processors in the Magdalen Islands are used to developing those kinds of relationships. Do there need to be more in the years to come? That is something we may want to explore further, particularly sea farming. In recent years, seawater and mussel farmers here have developed a relationship with people in Prince Edward Island with a view to marketing their product. It is clear that there has to be close cooperation with partners in the Maritimes and Quebec in this area. No one can really afford to work in isolation under the current circumstances, in the context of globalized markets, lower prices on the U.S. market, and so on. As a result, market diversification, more value-added and business partnerships are all goals that we are pursuing.
If you don't mind, I would just like to add that the LDC is also supporting the industry's efforts. There have been a number of actions taken, including a lobster promotion campaign last year, on both the Quebec market and the domestic market in general. We made a financial contribution to that activity, along with other partners.