Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses today, both of you. It's really good to have you.
I want to say, on behalf of us all, that we certainly respect the experience, knowledge and background that both of you bring to this. Both of you have been doing this for years.
I've seen Mr. MacPherson at the committee many times. I know that he always brings good testimony and has informative input.
I'm very pleased today to be joined by former minister of fisheries for Prince Edward Island, Jamie Fox. He served as an MLA for a number of years. If my knowledge is correct, Mr. Fox also served as Minister of Fisheries and Communities for four years. I believe that he was one of the longest-serving ministers of fisheries for a province in Canada.
Mr. Fox, you also served as chair of all of the Atlantic ministers of fisheries and oceans for Atlantic Canada. You also incorporated and invited the Quebec minister of fisheries and oceans to join. There were no fewer than five provincial ministers of fisheries and oceans that you chaired. I would say that your depth of knowledge and understanding of this particular issue would probably be among the elite and the best in Canada.
We're really honoured to have you here today. I appreciate your taking the time. Also, your experience in law enforcement is very applicable to what we're talking about here today as well.
Thanks to both of you for being here. I have a couple of questions.
Mr. Fox, I want to start with you and this question.
We're coming to learn about IUU, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishery. How would you describe the impacts within Prince Edward Island of this type of fishery and also within the broader Atlantic context and Quebec, from your experience? What's the input you are hearing and knowledge that you've gained about the effect it's having on local economies? What's the effect on the fish harvesters whose livelihoods are being directly impacted?