Fisheries committee  That's exactly what we're proposing. We're suggesting that the FFAW or the MFU could propose a way to go forward, come up with a solution for rationalization and access this fund. This fund would have two or three criteria to be able to get this capital. They would explain how they're going to do it, what the industry will be using to do it.

Fisheries committee  We felt that it was very difficult to express our short-term and long-term concerns at this round table. We found it very valuable in terms of bringing the industry together for once. I think that hasn't been done in quite a few years. I think that was very beneficial. We've also been able to talk about some of the challenges I mentioned earlier on, like certification and other elements, so it was very good to be able to share opinions, but it wasn't in terms of coming up with a solution for viability.

Fisheries committee  That's a shame, because I think we were--

Fisheries committee  To have the organization not being funded. I would suppose that is what has happened. I think this was a way to bring the different sectors of the industry together to express their views on many aspects. That's probably going to disappear. I hear there's a subcommittee in some form, which will have difficulty being maintained because of the resources not being there.

Fisheries committee  Thanks for the opportunity to mention that I did make available some copies of a proposal we've been developing with this alliance. It would be made available to you shortly, I suppose, or on your way back. There is a short brief that was circulated, so that gives you at least a short synopsis.

Fisheries committee  The other hat is of an alliance. We have created an alliance with the FFAW/CAW, with the alliance of Quebec fish harvesters; we have also included organizations in Nova Scotia—we have three of them that have recently joined our group. We are promoting—and this was the long term, so this is the second subject I mentioned I wanted to speak to you about—the renewal to change some underlying structural issues in our lobster fishery, and the Maritime Fishermen's Union has been promoting this as an organization for many years.

Fisheries committee  I appreciate your time, and I'll respect the last call for the bar when I hear the time. Mr. Chairperson, committee members, industry representatives, members of the public, and other invited guests, I do appreciate your time to have us express our opinions and concerns around the lobster fishery.