Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Something I didn't mention is that although the west coast is now my home, my roots are in Newfoundland. Although I am what many in Newfoundland would refer to as a townie, my family every year excitedly got in our cars and drove to the beach to see the capelin as they washed up on the shores, so I can appreciate what we're talking about today.
I want to expand a bit around forage fish such as capelin, mackerel and herring. We know they are vitally important to the abundance and health of our marine environment and coastal communities, and also to the livelihoods of fishers who rely on them. We know they're an important food source for many species, including whales, sea birds and even fish that are caught commercially.
Unfortunately, we have seen that some forage fish populations have been overfished in years prior. We know that unless there is action to manage them sustainably, there will be irreversible harm to the future populations and, as well, the fishers' livelihoods will be lost in the process.
Can you speak a little about the important role of forage fish? Can you let us know what steps you will take to set quotas or pause fisheries to rebuild these important species to ensure a sustainable future for both our marine environments and the fishers' livelihoods?