Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for coming for two hours today. We appreciate it.
On April 29, DFO began a two-month public consultation on proposed new marine protected areas in principally Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. I have a couple of questions about some of those.
This is just so people know what I'm talking about, because not everyone knows the geography. I'd like to ask you first about Browns Bank, which is the area on the southern tip of Nova Scotia. That is located as an area of interest in your consultation. It's lobster fishing areas 34 and 40 and also scallop fishing areas 29 C and D. There are other fisheries in there. It's an important fishery for Clearwater, which is owned by Membertou, who fish lobster, scallops and surf clam down there.
Now, as you look at your pictures, the fishing companies tell me that 90% of the bottom there is mud, but you claim to be protecting something called Gorgonian coral in the proposal. That's the coral that people see in fish tanks. It's not something that's endangered. You say there's a dense concentration of sponges. Sponges are also not endangered.
I wonder if DFO would provide the committee with the science that shows that those things you're trying to protect there are actually in decline in that area.