Globally, it is estimated that 26 million tonnes of fish are illegally caught and unreported.

The MPs say additional support is justified because Atlantic Canada suffers from comparative disadvantages relative to other regions in North America.

The party has publicly said the new law, which passed last fall, is flawed.

The Harper Conservatives have spent no less than $6.5 million defending high profile and contentious pieces of legislation ultimately deemed unconstitutional.

Federal Liberals are trying to drag Justice Minister Peter MacKay into the Senate expenses scandal, urging him to ensure no legal stone is unturned in the quest to prosecute all those involved.

Liberal MP Sean Casey points to an RCMP affidavit filed in court last week, which suggests party fundraiser Sen. Irving Gerstein was prepared at one point to use party funds to reimburse Duffy.