We've had, with all the institutions of science that we have across the country, a good understanding of habitat and fisheries protection science. That data exists. With respect to applying the specific initiatives that we have in this legislation, and applying those at a program level, what we need to do.... There's usually a three-step piece. You have the science program and policy. You have all three of those things in place. Then you get a new legislative frame. That science contributed to the legislative change we're talking about. Once you have that legislative frame, you then need to develop a new program. And this is all done largely at the same time, but we need to make sure that the science is the foundation for the program. How are we specifically going to apply it? Science as a foundation, policy and regulatory framework as the next piece as much as possible, and then program implementation and guidance to staff.
On November 20th, 2012. See this statement in context.