Mr. Speaker, as I only have a minute, I will speak about the northern gulf cod. Of course, the SARA does allow for some harm to protected species so long as it does not jeopardize their survival or recovery. The northern cod fishery is being reopened at a very low level of 3,500 tonnes. Our fisheries management plans have built-in conservation measures to help ensure that these fisheries will continue to be sustainable and preserve the resource for future generations.
While the COSEWIC has assessed the Laurentian north population of Atlantic cod as threatened, it is important to remember that this is only a recommendation. The Government of Canada must ultimately decide when and where this protection will take place.