We've had a couple of training programs for sealers. I think we're in the neighbourhood of 20 to 30. Most of them are from your area, the North of Smokey group, but we do have some young fishermen from the South Shore area, Mr. Keddy's riding, who participated in the harvest this year. They have to do some apprenticeship.
We intend to expand, as we train people carefully, because we realize that it's a sensitive issue. If you siimply have people going out and killing seals in a not humane way, it could backfire on the industry.
I think we are in a take-off position here, because $50...the sealers-fishermen told me that this winter they made good money doing that. So they're encouraged.
We do have one processing company that handled the meat, the samples, that's interested in expanding that business. Right now we have a request out for proposals to sealers and to processors--I expect a response back by mid-June--regarding the shipment to China.
If there are additional processors who want to get involved, they have to develop a protocol with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for handling and processing the meat. They also have to develop a partnership with the sealers.
I'd say we're in a take-off position with this. The people involved did make money last winter.