I understand that, but again, the assumption behind all of these efforts is that there are environmental issues with net-pen aquaculture, and I think the science on that is clearly not settled.
Let me just point out to you.... I was given a quick e-mail from DFO. They talked about how in 2010 the Fraser River sockeye returns were 30 million, the best return since 1913. In 2011 that return was 4.5 million, which is an average return. They noted that 2011 was a good year in general for all salmon species, with Skeena River sockeye above expectations and Barkley Sound sockeye the same. Salmon Inlet on the central coast had a sockeye fishery for the first time in 15 years. The pink salmon return was doing very well, and 2011 was the best recreational salmon fishery.
I just hope that what we are doing is not a solution in search of a problem. Again, I find that all our witnesses gloss over the central issue, which is: does this affect wild fish and is this effort going to bear fruit?
Ms. Emrick, do you think the goal ultimately should be the complete elimination of net-pen aquaculture and a move strictly toward closed containment?