On the opening dates, from our point of view in area 5, we would probably along with the fifth or the sixth or something like that--a little earlier. Last year, it seems to me, there was not so much ice as there normally is. The last two years have been pretty mild.
I think all sealers would agree that we just barely made it last year to get our seals. We had that gale and northeast wind. The ice went into the straits, and there was nothing caught after. We just barely made it. The twelfth is pushing it. Most of our boat sector would probably go along with the sixth or something like that.
In different years the seals mature differently. Last year they matured early. That has a lot to do with the seals getting in the water earlier. A bit earlier would be nice.
The gulf opened up last year on the fifth or sixth, and they had good seals, didn't they, John? They came in good, didn't they?