Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank the witnesses for showing up at this very important study.
Mr. Chair, my first question here is for Mr. Rose, who is the pre-eminent expert on northern cod biology, for sure.
Mr. Rose, you made mention of the lowering of the lower reference point back in October of last year. Do you think that was a part of what a lot of people are calling a political decision? Do you think that was a part of the political equation for reopening the commercial northern cod fishery?