Yes, and thank you for the question.
You're correct in that we have been working on Asian carp for several years, especially with our American colleagues. Asian carp are not in Canadian waters at this time. They are in the U.S. The bulk of the work has been in the U.S., but we have been participating with them in terms of control measures and providing scientific advice. This funding will allow us to more aggressively pursue proactive activities with our key partners around the Great Lakes.
The strategic plan centres around four pillars. One is prevention, looking at outreach activities, research on containment and movement, and understanding pathways and entry points. Second is early warning, setting up a monitoring program in waterways of highest risk of entry to the Great Lakes. Third is response, working with our Great Lakes partners to develop response plans should Asian carp show up in the Great Lakes. Fourth is management, collaborating with our enforcement agencies around the Great Lakes.
These four pillars will allow us to deal with this imminent problem of the Asian carp's arrival in the Great Lakes. They are certainly the closest on our radar screen. They're in close proximity, and we are in a really unique position to not react to an invasive species that's already shown up. We are able to be proactive and prevent them from arriving in the first place.