We are somewhat ill-prepared because we were only advised last week that we would be appearing. We have plenty of expertise with respect to processing, purchasing and selling lobster, but we have not prepared anything. The group that came before us said pretty well everything that had to be said about conservation. It is a very good example of what is being done. Indeed, it is one of the only species I know of to have been managed by fishers and scientists working together, and Fisheries and Oceans has been a close collaborator; that is very much to its credit. It is pretty much the only species left around the Magdalen Islands, because the others have pretty much disappeared: groundfish, pelagic fish, etc. And fishers did not have much to say about that, it should be noted. They have made a great effort and that is very much to their credit.
In terms of the lobster fishery in the Magdalen Islands, year after year, we work with approximately 5 million pounds. That has been quite steady for many years. Of course, the fishing season is not very long. Unlike in the other provinces, we do not have much crab either. Approximately 1 million or 1.3 million pounds of crab belong to the Magdalen Islands. That would be with the allocations; it is not only a permanent quota. And, in terms of the resource itself, there is a constant decline.
What we would like to do is look at the expenses we incur in the Magdalen Islands, compared to the other provinces. Even though we are in the midst of a crisis which is worsening, we are islanders, meaning that we have two islands to cross if we want to get out: the Magdalen Islands and Prince Edward Island. People on PEI find this to be an expense, but we are even further away. So, that is the issue I would like to look at more closely with you. I am available to take your questions.
However, I am going to ask Marc if he wants to add something.