I once sat on a Senate committee that recommended culling a certain part of that herd; it has become a nuisance for coastal residents, who eat a lot of it. For those not familiar with seals, you have to know that grey seals are bigger than the biggest cattle. They can weigh hundreds of kilograms.
With the seal hunt in the north, we are talking about small animals, generally about five or six feet long. They are not big animals. You have to be very good with a rifle to shoot one. The hunters shoot at animals that are a very long way from the shore. Then they get into a small boat to fetch the animals, which are floating. I am less familiar with what they do on the Atlantic coast.
I also know that, in Denmark, they cull seals by burning them. I do not understand that method. Actually, I think that the Department of Industry would do well to encourage a sector that could recover a large part of the animals culled. The meat could be used to make animal feed because its iron content is very high. Other parts could also be used.
I think that people need a little push. This is about creating a new industry. The Senate committee unanimously recommended culling a certain number of animals so that the seal population would not be so much of a nuisance. We hope that the Canadian government will address this issue and especially will help those who want a solution to the problem on the Atlantic coast. There is a problem in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.