The problem I had getting licensed sealers was that I was not allowed by the regulations to pick up a sealer, other than a sealer from a particular area. I agree about giving local preference, but if I can't get them locally, I should be able to go to Bonavista Bay, or somewhere, and pick up a sealer. But I wasn't allowed to do that. On the other end, prior to the sealing season opening, DFO did say that you could permit a sealer. A non-sealer without a licence could go, but you had to be a level-2 fisherman before you can permit. Although, if I was a master mariner, for example, I wasn't allowed to sign on that sealer.
