Thank you very much, Mr. Stringer and your colleagues, for speaking with us today.
I'm curious about the eco-certification of seafood products, and in particular the role of government. It appears that the Government of Canada was involved in the establishment of the FAO guidelines, but then backed off or didn't step forward in taking any direct role in our own industry. I'm trying to understand what that means.
You said the Department of Fisheries shares its research and science with these companies or with the industries. I'm trying to clarify the role of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. In that respect does this also include the small-scale fisheries and some of the work that's been done? The Chedabucto Bay shrimp fishery and the Off the Hook line in Nova Scotia are examples. Could you explain to me why the Government of Canada decided to respond the way it has to help establish international guidelines but then backed off? What role does it play in this business?