Fisheries committee  For the traceability work, it was PPFA, DFO fish management and DFO C and P.

Fisheries committee  That's correct. We represent the entire prawn fishery.

Fisheries committee  That's correct.

Fisheries committee  Yes. I mean, there are economic impacts for sure.

Fisheries committee  There is so much uncertainty over this. The fact is that we were at the table working on a traceability label for these tubs, and now we don't even know if we can use these tubs. We've essentially lost another year of implementing a traceability program to limit the illegal sales of prawns.

Fisheries committee  Really, the PPFA, the industry, is willing to work with DFO on a solution. We recognize that we expect some restrictions and regulations, but as James said, there's really no other way to protect these prawns, to save these prawns. In water, frozen at sea within minutes of their capture, is the best way to capture these.

Fisheries committee  In a one-pound tub, you're looking at, say, 25 to 30 prawns.

Fisheries committee  It's two or three layers. Our industry protocols suggest a limit of one pound, to limit the time it takes to thaw, and mandate a clear plastic tub so that you can see sizes once the frost gets off and you can measure some of the sizes through the packaging.

Fisheries committee  It has baffled all of us here. It's really unknown. There have been cases of undersized prawns entering the marketplace through the unregulated channels in recreational and different fisheries, but we're really unclear on what the issue is and why there's such concern over it, because it's so infrequent and there's no desire for the fishermen to keep them.

Fisheries committee  I'm not a fisherman on the grounds, but speaking with my directors and other fishermen, I don't think it's very often at all. It's my understanding there's not a lot of funding for C and P to be out on the water. They would be boarded maybe once per season, if that. The PPFA does pay into the C and P collaborative agreement to help with its efforts, but very little on the water action.

Fisheries committee  Two and a half—

Fisheries committee  Yes, thank you. The spawner index is a tool to ensure that a certain number of females are left in the water to reproduce and spawn for future generations. That is the primary tool, and as James said, there are other tools, such as mesh size, single haul limits, and all these things to help sort product underwater, and that's the key there.

Fisheries committee  Absolutely. There's very little market for small prawns. The market, the price, everything is driven by the size of the prawns. The larger the prawn, the higher the price. Fishermen don't want to fill the market with these smaller, medium prawns. They can simply be returned to the water and be caught later in the season or the next season at the next size up.

Fisheries committee  Absolutely, and very much so. Without a clear answer from DFO, it's really hard for the fishermen. Being told that officers will simply be doing education and that, at their whim, they can choose to charge or not is very unnerving for fishermen.

Fisheries committee  We have had an opportunity to speak with DFO, but there are really no answers at all. What's even more disappointing are responses like, “You guys should investigate freeze-drying prawns or another method of preserving them.” There's no appetite from the industry. The value would be so much lower.