Fisheries committee  We have a lot of different programming that is intended to provide support to our indigenous partners to participate in processes. I think there's always a negotiation of what the amounts are, because there are so many different issues that we're involved with in so many communities.

Fisheries committee  I can't give you a specific answer.

Fisheries committee  This can be explained by the fact that the provinces have different responsibilities for algae, but I would have to get back to you with a precise answer.

Fisheries committee  I'll just add that the commissioner has a very well-established process for carrying out these kinds of investigations and seeks the co-operation of the department, which, of course, we provide. Decisions on publishing findings are at the discretion of the commissioner, because it's an independent organization, so that really is their purview.

Fisheries committee  Just in general, I would say that all departments that have science in their mandate follow the science integrity policy of the government—DFO has its own—to make sure that scientists are free to carry out and speak about their work, and that there isn't interference in that process.

Fisheries committee  We have a lot of agreements with companies and fishers to collect data on fish stocks. We don't use Canadian Coast Guard or DFO vessels for everything. We have a lot of agreements and we get a lot of recommendations from the sector. One such recommendation is to develop more partnerships with the industry to collect data because fishers are already out on the water.

Fisheries committee  Our scientists are involved in these activities because they're on the boats. That means we need fewer federally owned boats because we can use boats belonging to fishers and companies.

Fisheries committee  The approach on both coasts is extremely different, because it evolved very differently. The east coast owner-operator model doesn't exist on the west coast. The east coast approach has been based on the owner-operator model for decades. We've recently done a lot of work to codify that in the regulations.

Fisheries committee  Yes. There are a lot of discussions about this with the Redfish Advisory Committee, because we have concerns about certain species.

Fisheries committee  No, we can send you information about the discussions we've had regarding the species we're prioritizing and the management measures we're considering to limit the bycatch.

Fisheries committee  Are you asking me the date?

Fisheries committee  There were various stages and discussions. We do the science, we do the analysis, we have meetings with committees—

Fisheries committee  I understand. What I mean is that there are different stages and we provide advice at different stages. This fishery has been closed for a long time. I was not in the department for that whole time. However, I can say that stocks have made a comeback in recent years, and there have been briefings at various stages.

Fisheries committee  I can tell you that it was recent, because we wanted to have several years of scientific data.

Fisheries committee  I'm happy to provide the science. MPA zones obviously are very much based on the science around what is sensitive in a zone, and—