Absolutely.
There is the owner-operator policy and the fleet separation policy. These seem to be very complicated terms, but in fact, the term “owner-operator” means that the fisher is the owner of his or her own business. Obviously, their family members can work in the business, but the fisher is the owner. Their name is on the boat, and they are the ones who operate it. It remains a property, and it's very close to our communities. There is also an advantage for these communities, because many fishers live there and spend their money there, whether they are spending their money on fishing or on other things. They live in areas that, otherwise, would have very little economic activity. It is therefore extremely important.
The fleet separation means that only the harvesting sector, therefore the fishers themselves, can hold these permits. A company, a dentist in Toronto or someone from the outside who doesn't have a direct link to the fishery cannot hold fishing privileges. Fishing rights do not exist; they are fishing privileges. Don't forget that the fishing industry is not like other industries that exist in Canada. It is an industry where people are owners and where there are shared interests.
Under the law, all Canadians have the right to receive the benefits of these fisheries. That is why it is a sharing of this common property. A fishery is not private property.