I am asking you these questions because you requested studies, studies that lasted almost three years, regarding reopening these two fishing areas.
This year, the recommendation from the Moncton local office, from your officials, from your scientists, after more than two years' study of those two areas, was to reopen them. Unfortunately, at the last minute, your offices recommended not following the recommendation made at the local level and closing those areas. It was necessary to step in and see what the reasons were for that decision. The reason was that there might have been too much bycatch in those two fishing areas, even though the season had just ended and there had been almost no such catches.
Ms. Gibbons and Mr. Burns, could you tell me why, every time decisions are made in Ottawa concerning these regions, there always seems to be a problem and second thoughts, even after your own scientists and officials have made recommendations that supported reopening, when you seemed to be opposed to it?
How do you want the industry to have confidence in decisions like that?
I would like to get an answer to my question, please.