Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Madam Minister, thank you for being with us.
Caraquet Bay, Chaleur Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence are right in front of me. As you know, the waterways in that region are used by fishers of lobster, crab, herring and several other species.
I'd like to say thank you, because this year, as a result of your action and all of our discussions, Coast Guard ships, hovercraft, were able to provide icebreaker service. In my constituency, contracts have been signed with third parties, such as Ocean Group and ECO Technologies, and that has allowed crab fishers, even lobster fishers, to start the season earlier, which made it possible to limit interaction with Atlantic right whales. That has paid off. In fact, the quota has been almost fully met.
There are still challenges. Some areas are closed right now, which is causing problems.
Madam Minister, thank you again. I'd like you to remind those who are watching or listening, and even people in my community, why we're protecting right whales. A lot of markets are at stake and not protecting them could have significant consequences.
I'd like you to talk about that for us, Madam Minister.