Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), in 2009 $65 million of funding was earmarked for two programs: the short term transitional measures, STTM, lobster program, as well as the Atlantic lobster sustainability measures, ALSM, program.
Some $15 million was earmarked for the STTM lobster program which began September 22, 2009. By the end of 2009, approximately $7.1 million was spent.
Some $50 million was earmarked for the ALSM. No ALSM funds were spent in 2009.
In response to (b), the STTM program concluded March 31, 2010.
Of this, $1 million was spent on operation and management costs of the program, $8.6 million was spent on grants, and $5.4 million of unspent funding was reported at year end as lapsed funding.
Unspent funding was a result of fewer than expected lobster licence holders qualifying under the STTM due to higher revenues from lobster fishing than anticipated.
Some $6 million in funding proposals have been approved to date under ALSM and released in 2010. Additional funding proposals are under review.
In response to (c), it is the $50 million ALSM program which is in effect until March 31, 2014.