Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I just want to let Mr. Oliphant know that Tom Wappel was a corporate lawyer from Scarborough, Ontario, who was the chair of our committee for a couple of years. He did a great job, so there is hope for you yet, sir. That's just to let you know.
Mr. Bevan, you know that in 1996 DFO had a plan--what fishermen out there called the Mifflin plan--with area stacking of the licences. A lot of fishermen referred to it as “eat or become eaten” in terms of the reduction of the fleet. It caused a lot of turmoil on the west coast, as you are probably aware.
Some lobster fishermen have indicated that this buddy-up system or the doubling-up of licences may lead to that sort of atmosphere once again, because we have the trust agreement concerns that Mr. Hearn dealt with the last time. I'd like you to tell us two things. First, reiterate what DFO is doing about the trust agreements, the long-term plan on that. And second, with the buddy-up system and having two skippers on one boat and having 250 plus 125 traps on the boat, tell us what you perceive that will lead to, as compared to what they fear it may lead to.