Yes, in this area we have been sharing since 1995. However, since 2003, the allocations are made to associations of fishers who give them to other fishers, who fish their quota for them. That money is used to rationalize the fisheries. That is why we are saying the Department is using crab to shirk its own responsibilities. Rather than buying back the licences it sells, it rents out this crab stock to a fishers association, which then has to develop a rationalization plan. That money is being used to buy back lobster and fish traps in order to get these people out of the fishery.
On May 25th, 2010. See this statement in context.