Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll split my time with Mr. Arnold.
Two years ago, in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34, the DFO reported that catches were down 50%. Preliminary reports are that they're down another 50% to 75%. We're talking about, in the space of two years, a drop of perhaps as much as 75% in the most important fishery in Nova Scotia.
There has been poaching going on out of season in the nurseries for at least five years.
I'd like to start with Ms. Sonnenberg.
Is there any other explanation as to why these stocks are declining so rapidly?