Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I also want to thank you, Mr. Cleary, Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Rose. We're so glad to have you with us.
Mr. Cleary, I just want you to know that I really enjoyed your speech. It was very original. It's too bad that sometimes, you have to use sarcasm to make a point. In any case, I certainly got your point, so well done.
I've been a member of the House of Commons for three and a half years, and it's true that I've never talked about my pension plan. However, this is the first time I've sat on the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, and I am talking about seals, so there's a first time for everything.
What you and the other witnesses said today makes a lot of sense. It is completely mind-boggling to me that Fisheries and Oceans Canada isn't listening to fish harvesters and seal hunters, because I think we're really at a crossroads, the point where something needs to be done. You've been saying that yourself for years.
What everyone seems to agree on today is the need to control the pinniped population. Let's say that tomorrow morning, the federal government starts taking an interest in the seal hunt. What do you think DFO's priorities should be?
Should it issue more commercial fishing licences, provide more investment for processing plants, for example, opening up access to local or international markets, or develop a marketing plan?
What do you think are the first steps DFO should take?