Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, ladies. My apologies for having missed the beginning of your presentations, but I had to react to an unpopular decision in Quebec with regard to the shrimp quota that the minister announced yesterday.
First of all, the seal hat that I have brought with me bears witness to a phenomenon that has been decried or at least described by a renowned scientist and biologist in Quebec, who has stated that the seal population is too numerous and that it amounts to an uncontrolled fishery. In other words, these predators have become good fishers, or at least their fishery is not controlled. Such is the danger. We talk about the harp seal, but the grey seal is showing up more and more. It is much larger and, as an omnivore, it eats much more. When there is no longer any cod or anything else left, it will go after other species. It could be groundfish, but it could also be salmon, lobster or crab.
It is very important to take all of this into consideration. This is why committee members have unanimously already looked at the issue and reopened the file.
I have but little time left, but I would like to hear you speak about the way out. If we are here today, it is because some months ago now, alarm bells went off in Nova Scotia with regard to the prices granted fishers. Given that the recession was at our door — and is now here —, these people were wondering what disaster awaited them.
I would like you to explain to us what solutions might help us overcome the crisis that is headed our way and that will strike over the coming days or weeks.