Good afternoon, everyone.
The Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels, or FRAPP, proud of its 52 years of existence, represents nearly 200 fishers grouped into three associations: the Association des pêcheurs professionnels crabiers acadiens, the Association des crevettiers acadiens du golfe and the Association des pêcheurs professionnels membres d'équipage. They are located in Shippagan, on the Acadian peninsula in New Brunswick.
To maximize the time available to us, I'm going to get right to the heart of the matter by giving you the specific context of our two midshore fisheries, namely, crab and shrimp. Our vessels range in length from 60 to 75 feet, with a crew of four to seven people. All crew members live, eat, and, with the exception of the captain, sleep in the same spaces.
You've heard of the problem with the physical distance requirement in lobster boats. Welcome to our fishing world, where trips at sea last from three to seven days, and sometimes eight days.