Mr. Speaker, not at all. This area has been subject to a redfish fishing moratorium since 1995.
However, in 1999 the decision was made to allow for a small 2,000 tonne test fishery to support science and the monitoring of stocks.
The division of access of this test fishery was split between larger and smaller vessel fleets according to the historical access prior to the moratorium. Inshore fishers have participated in this test fishery most of the years since it has been implemented. Recently I have heard concerns from several industry members of the presence of larger vessels. Therefore, I have asked that this issue be examined as part of a recently formed DFO working industry group on redfish.