59th Congress |

{ Document
a a House of Representatives

| Io. 251

REPORT ae

ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES

BY

EDWIN W. SIMS

Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor

August 31, 1906

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1906

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

DFPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,
Washington, December 10, 1906.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of Mr. Edwin
W. Sims, late solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor, on
the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries.

On June 21, 1906, I directed Mr. Sims, at that time solicitor of the
Department, to proceed to Alaska and investigate the conditions of the
Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. Mr. Sims visited St. Paul, St. George, and
Otter Islands of the Pribilof group in Bering Sea, Unalaska and
Kodiak islands, Sitka, and other places during the months of July
and August and collected the information upon which this report is
based.

In addition to a historical résumé of the industry and a discussion
of recent raids by Japanese poachers, the report contains two appen-
dices, the first giving statistical information regarding the Pribilof
fur-seal herd from the discovery of the islands in 1786 to 1906, inclu-
sive, and the second showing the probable increase of the herd in case
there be a total cessation of pelagic sealing and a rational land killing.

Respectfully,
V. H. Mercatr,
Secreta ry.
The SPEAKER OF THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES.

2

C13 1906
eae

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR,
Washington, August 31, 1906.

Str: I have the honor to advise you that in accordance with the
terms of your letter of June 21, 1906, directing me to investigate the
conditions of the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, I visited St. Paul, St.
George, and Otter islands of the Pribilof group in Bering Sea, Una-
laska, Kodiak, Sitka, and other places in Alaska during the months of
July and August, and collected information bearing upon the subject
to be investigated. I spent an entire week on the island of St. Paul,
during which time I personally visited all of the seal rookeries and
witnessed several drives.

As the result of my observation and investigation I have the honor
to submit the following report: °

DESTRUCTION OF THE SEAL HERD BY PELAGIC SEALERS.

The Pribilof fur-seal herd is being rapidly wiped out of existence
as the result of pelagic sealing—the killing of seals in the water. The
destructive effect of this method of taking seals has not been fully
realized, and unless prompt measures are taken to stop it the entire
herd will soon be annihilated.

Estimates as to the number of seals in the Pribilof herd at the time
this Government purchased Alaska vary from 2,000,000 to 7,000,000.
The best estimate, tn my judgment, is that it consisted of about
4,000,000 seals. To-day the herd numbers less than 180,000 seals;
in other words, there are fewer seals in the Pribilof herd to-day than
there were in 1835, when the Russian Government felt impelled to
adopt drastic measures to prevent its destruction.

During the first twenty years of American ownership it was at all
times possible to secure 100,000 skins annually on the Pribilof Islands.
From 1890 down to the present time the number of skins which could
be obtained has steadily decreased. This season the lessee of the
sealing privilege was unable to secure even the 15,000 skins which it

was authorized to take.
3:

4 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.
HERD IS IN A MOST CRITICAL CONDITION.

While it is true that the size of the herd has been steadily decreasing
for a number of years, I believe that its existence is more seriously
threatened at this time than ever before in its history. The herd is in
a most critical condition.

The high price paid for sealskins in the London market last year
has not only led to renewed activity on the part of the Canadian seal-
ing fleet, but is unquestionably responsible for the appearance in Ber-
ing Sea this year of the largest fleet of Japanese vessels which has ever
directed its operations against the Pribilof herd. Authentic reports
are to the effect that the Canadian fieet engaged in pelagic sealing the
past season numbered upward of thirty vessels. Reports vary as to
the size of the Japanese fleet, some placing it at thirteen and others
at thirty vessels. Fleets of this size can not long prey on the already
diminished herd without soon annihilating it.

IMPORTANCE OF THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

Since the purchase of Alaska in 1867 the United States has received
a revenue from the lease of the sealing privilege on the Pribilof
Islands of about $9,000,000— almost $2,000,000 more than it paid for
all Alaska. In addition to this the Government annually collects a
large sum in customs revenue .on manufactured sealskins which are
reimported from London, where they are sent in their raw state for
treatment. The trade in skins taken on these islands by citizens of
the United States since the purchase of Alaska aggregates more than
$50,000,000.

TREATIES AND LAWS VIOLATED BY PELAGIC SEALERS.

From information furnished me during the course of my investiga-
tion, I believe that a part—at least five or six—of the vessels of the
Canadian fleet this year continued their pelagic sealing operations in
the vicinity of Sitka and at other points in Alaska during the months
of May and June, in violation of Article I] of the Articles of Award~
of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, establishing a yearly closed season
from May 1 to July 31. |

The vessels of the Japanese ffeet not only took thousands of seals
within the territorial waters of the United States surrounding the
Pribilof Islands during the past summer, but during a period of two
days—July 16 and 17—the crews of four of the schooners committed
a series of unlawful acts which terrorized the native inhabitants and
injuriously disturbed the seal life on the rookeries of St. Paul Island.
Raiding parties from three of these schooners actually landed on the
island. One of the parties which landed killed 185 sealsand got away
with 120 skins before it was discovered.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 5

Asa result of the raids, five of the poachers were killed while attempt-
ing to escape arrest, and twelve, including two wounded, were cap-
tured. Three small boats and some arms and paraphernalia for killing
seals on land were also captured. The force protecting the islands
suffered no casualties, although it was subject to a rifle fire from the
decks of a schooner anchored close inshore while making arrests on
the second day. .

Before going into the details of the operations of the Japanese seal-
ing fleet during the past season I shall at this point refer briefly to
some general facts in connection with the Pribilof Islands and the seal
herd, in order that you may more fully appreciate existing conditions.

THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS.

The Pribilof Islands, which are the home of the fur-seal herd which
takes their name, were discovered in 1786 by Gerassim Pribilof, a
navigator in the employ of one of the Russian trading companies.
They are situated in Bering Sea, about 2,000 miles from Seattle by the
most direct route. The group consists of St. Paul, St. George, Walrus,
and Otter islands, and Sea Lion Rock. They are completely isolated
from other land, the nearest port being Unalaska, which is 214 miles
to the southward. The islands are of volcanic origin, and are desert
islands to the extent that they produce nothing capable of sustaining
man. The island of St. Paul, which is the largest of the group, is 134
miles long and 73 miles wide and has a shore line of 453 miles. It
has a population of 168.

St. George Island, which lies at a distance of about 40 miles south-
east of St. Paul, is 12 miles long and 43 miles wide, with a shore line
of 30 miles. It has a population of 91. Otter Island, Walrus Island,
and Sea Lion Rock are much smaller and are uninhabited. During a
large part of the year the islands and the surrounding sea are enveloped
ina dense fog. There are no vessels on the islands capable of being
navigated to the mainland or the nearest port, and the only time the
residents come in touch with the outside world is when the North
American Commercial Company’s steamer calls there twice each year,
and at irregular intervals when a revenue cutter chances to stop for a
few hours.

THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD.

The islands which I have just described are the natural retreat and
the only breeding ground of the Pribilof or American fur-seal herd,
which, even in its depleted condition, is the largest fur-seal herd in the
world.

The seals of this herd breed upon the islands of St. Paul and St.
George during the summer, and annually, in the fall, leave them and
proceed through Bering Sea and the passes between the Aleutian

6 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

Islands into the Pacific Ocean. Some of them go as far south as the
Santa Barbara channel, off southern California. Generally speaking,
this annual migration of the fur-seal herd may be said to commence in
November, and by the latter part of December there are few, if any
animals left on the islands. They remain away until the following
spring, the first arrivals usually appearing about the first of May and
the last the latter part of June or first of July. In the interval
between their arrival in the spring and their departure in the fall the
offices of reproduction are accomplished.

Within a few hours after she arrives on the island the cow gives
birth to her pup. Five or six days later she comes in heat and is
served by the bull. As the females do not leave the island from the
time they first land until after impregnation, it follows that all adult
cows whenever found at sea are pregnant. During the period of about
six months which the seals annually spend on the islands the females
make frequent and regular trips to the feeding grounds about 150
miles to the southward in Bering Sea. After feeding they go to sleep
on the surface of the water, while the food they have taken digests.
When rested, they return to the islands, where they nurse the pups.
The female seal gives birth to one pup each year for probably ten
years, commencing the third year of her existence.

VARIATIONS IN THE SIZE OF THE HERD.

At the time of the discovery of the islands by the Russians, fur
seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lions, and foxes were found in almost
unlimited numbers. The killing of all these species of animals pro-
ceeded with wanton prodigality from the year 1786 until the year
1835, when the fur-seal herd was reduced to less than 200,000. This
shrinkage was caused by the indiscriminate killing of both males and
females. A closed season was established on the islands from 1835 to
1845-1850, during which period only such seals were killed as were
necessary to furnish food and clothing for the natives. The killing of
females on land was also discontinued after 1835 and was never again
legally resumed.

This resulted in a gradual rehabilitation of the herd, allowing an
increasing number of young male seals to be taken each year from 1850
until 1870, the date of the commencement of the first lease of the seal-
ing rights to the Alaska Commercial Company. From that year and
during the twenty years of this first lease 100,000 young male seals
were killed annually for commercial purposes, and the skins marketed,
with the exception of the years 1877 and 1883, when, owing to a glut
in the market for skins, only 75,000 seals were killed. This reduction,
however, was voluntary on the pact of the lessee and was not the result
of a lack of seals.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 7

METHODS OF SECURING SEALSKINS.

The skins of seals for commercial purposes are secured in two ways:
(1) By killing the seal on land; (2) by killing the seal in the water—
i. e., pelagic sealing.

1. The killing of seals on land is confined to the Pribilof Islands, is
engaged in only by those who lease that right from the Government,
and is limited to those surplus immature bachelors which may be taken
without affecting the herd. The prohibition against the killing of
females established by the Russians in 1835 has been embodied in our
laws and is always strictly observed. The character and number of
the seals to be taken is determined by law and by the regulations of
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and the operations of the
lessee on the islands are subject to the direct surveillance of Govern-
ment agents appointed for that purpose. The history of the herd con-
clusively demonstrates that a rational and carefully regulated land
killing is beneficial rather than detrimental to the herd.

2. The killing of seals in the water—pelagic sealing—is engaged in
by vessels owned and manned by the citizens of other nations and by
Indians dwelling on certain of the coasts of the United States and
Canada.“ It is a wantonly destructive method of securing furs. The
Indians are allowed to take seals in canoes or undecked boats pro-
pelled wholly by paddles, oars, or sails and not transported by or
used in connection with other vessels or manned by more than five
persons. The vessels of other nations which engage in pelagic sealing
are schooners ranging in size from 25 to 125 tons burden. Each
vessel carries a crew of from 10 to 50 men, usually about 30, and
carries from 5 to 20 boats or canoes.

The schooner cruises about until she comes into sealing territory,
when the small boats, which are usually manned by three men, are
lowered. These boats scatter out in search of seals. Seals in motion
are shot; seals asleep or resting on the water are usually speared.
In the spring the pelagic sealers pick up the herd off northern Cali-
fornia and follow it northward. In the summer they cruise around
the feeding grounds in Bering Sea. The catch at this point is chiefly
females which have come to feed and which, if unmolested, would
return to the Pribilof Islands to nourish their young. One of the
Japanese sealers of a party which landed on St. Paul Island during
the summer stated under oath that seven or eight out of every ten
seals taken in Bering Sea by the schooner on which he belonged were
females.

Pelagic sealing was nominal from the year 1868 to 1880. From
1881, however, when 10,000 skins were taken by pelagic sealers from
the Pribilof herd this catch increased annually until 1894, when 61,838

See act of April 6, 1894, 28 Stat., 52, art. 8.

8 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

~

skins were taken. The pelagic catch for 1905 was 25,320 skins. The
decrease in the pelagic catch from 1894 down to the present time is
due to a steady decrease in the size of the herd. The increase of the
pelagic sealing has had direct relation to the diminution of the number
of seals on the rookeries, and the present low condition of the herd is,
in my judgement, due solely to the killing of female seals at sea. The
rational land killing of surplus, immature bachelors, which has been
sarried on under lease from this Government, has had nothing to do
with the decrease in the size of the herd.

THE KILLING OF FEMALES A WANTON DESTRUCTION OF SEAL LIFE.

The killing of female seals at any time or any place results in wanton
destruction of seal life. Those females killed while the herd is on its
way northward in the spring are pregnant, and each death results in
the loss of two lives to the herd. Those females killed on the feeding
grounds in Bering Sea in the summer and early fall are not only preg-
nant, but they have nursing pups on shore which die of starvation when
the mothers fail to return. Each death thus results in the loss of three
lives to the herd. In addition to this the skins secured by the pelagic
sealer represents only about 50 per cent of those he has actually killed.
The others sink and are not recoverable, or, when only wounded,
escape and die later from their wounds. These facts, coupled with
the knowledge that the pelagic sealer has since 1890 secured almost
twice as many skins as have been secured on the islands, fixes beyond
question the cause of the depletion of the herd.

TERMS OF THE LEASE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

Since 1870 the exclusive right to engage in the business of taking
fur seals on the Pribilof Islands has been exercised by American com-
panies operating under lease from the Government. From 1870 to
1890 the right was exercised by the Alaska Commercial Company. At
the present time the North American Commercial Company is the
lessee under a contract which expires in 1910. Under the terms of
this contract as construed by the United States Supreme Court (U.S. 2.
North American Commercial Co., 171 U. 8., 110), the company pays
at the rate of $10.224 for each skin taken. The Secretary of Com-
merce and Labor determines by regulation the kind and number of
seals to be taken each year and the method of killing.

In addition to the sum paid the Government for each skin, the com-
pany furnishes free to the natives on the islands dried salmon and salt
and salt barrels for preserving a supply of meat, 80 tons of coal
annually, comfortable dwellings and necessary schoolhouses which it
keeps in repair, competent teachers and a free school for the education
of the children eight months of the year, competent physicians, medi-
cines and medical supplies, and the necessaries of life for the widows
and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands unable to

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 9

provide for themselves. The company also employs the natives to
perform, such work on the islands as they are fitted to perform at a
compensation fixed from time to time by the Secretary of Commerce

and Labor.
THE TRIBUNAL OF ARBITRATION.

As the result of certain differences which had arisen between Great
Britain and the United States over the seizures of Canadian vessels
and the efforts of this Government to protect the seal herd, these two
nations, on February 29, 1892, concluded a treaty whereby they agreed
to submit the questions in dispute to a tribunal of arbitration. This
tribunal, which concluded its labors in Paris in 1893, is usually spoken
of as ‘* The Paris Tribunal of Arbitration,” and its findings and award
as ‘* The Award of the Paris Tribunal.”

Generally speaking, the chief contentions of the United States
before this tribunal were: (1) That Bering Sea was a closed sea, and
(2) that it had a property right in the seal herd which justified it in
protecting the seals on the high seas. The treaty also provided that
in case the determination of the questions submitted as to the exclu-
sive jurisdiction of the United States left the subject in such position
that the concurrence of Great. Britain was necessary to the establish-
ment of regulations for the proper protection of the fur-seal herd, the
arbitrators were to determine what concurrent regulations outside of
the jurisdictional limit of the respective Governments were necessary
and over what waters such regulations should extend.4

The tribunal found that Bering Sea was not a closed sea, and also
decided adversely to the United States on the question of its right to
protect the seal herd outside of territorial waters. Accordingly, a set
of regulations was adopted, the essential features of which were the
establishment of a closed zone of 60 miles in Bering Sea about the
Pribilof Islands and a closed season from May 1 to August 1, within
which all sealing was prohibited.

While the treaty of 1892 provides that ‘tthe high contracting
parties engage to consider the result of the proceedings of the tribunal
of arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all the ques-
tions referred to the arbitrators” (Art. XIV), it is in this connection
worthy of note that the regulations, which were part of the award,
provide in terms that they ‘‘ shall be submitted every five years to a
new examination, so as to enable both interested Governments to con-
sider whether, in the light of past experience, there is occasion for
any modification thereof” (Art. IX).

THE MODUS VIVENDI.

For the purpose of avoiding the irritating differences, and with a view
to promoting the friendly settlement of the questions pending between

@ Article VII.

10 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

the two Governments, an agreement was entered into on June 15, 1891,
for a modus vivendi in relation to the fur-seal fisheries in Bering Sea.
3y the terms of the modus vivendi, which remained effective until the
award of the Paris tribunal, the killing of all seals, with the exception
of a limited number for the sustenance of the native inhabitants of the
Pribilof Islands, was suspended.

EXISTING LAWS AND TREATIES.@

The substance of existing laws and treaties is as follows: The laws of
the United States prohibit American citizens and subjects from kill-
ing any seals at any time in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and
Bering Sea or on any land or in any of the waters of Alaska subject
to the jurisdiction.of the United States. Indians dwelling on the
coast of the United States may, however, kill seals in the water under
certain restrictions, and those persons er corporations operating under
lease from the Government may kill seals on the Pribilof Islands.
These are the only exceptions to an absolute and universal prohibition
running against citizens and subjects of the United States. *

Now while that feature of these laws which prohibits Americans
from killing seals in the open ocean—the waters of the north Pacific
Ovean and Bering Sea—is not effective as against the citizens and
subjects of other nations, those provisions which absolutely prohibit
the killing of seals on any land or in any water subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the United States in Alaska is effective as against all the world,
aliens as well as citizens. It follows, therefore, that with the excep-
tion of the Indians and those operating under lease from the Goyern-
ment no person may lawfully kill seals in Alaska or in Alaskan
waters.

Citizens and subjects of Great Britain and of the United States, in
addition to being bound, in common with other people who come
within the jurisdiction of the United States, to yield obedience to its
laws, are subject to the award of the Paris tribunal. The articles of
this award provide for a closed zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof
Islands, within which the citizens of both countries are forbidden to kill
seals at any time; provide a closed season from May 1 to August 1
ach year, during which the citizens of both nations are prohibited
froin killing seals in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean, including
Bering Sea, north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and east
of the one hundred and eightieth meridian of longitude, till it strikes
the water boundary between the United States and Russia; forbid tae
use of firearms in Bering Sea, and include other minor regulations.
Subsequent to the award American citizens were by the act of Decem-
ber 29, 1897, denied the privilege accorded by the Paris award, and
are now, as I have before indicated, absolutely forbidden to kill any

aSee yol. 3, Comp. Stat., p. 30038.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. eT

seals at any time in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean or Bering
Sea north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude. This prohibi-
tion does not, however, run against Indians dwelling on the coast of
the north Pacific Ocean.

So far as I am aware Great Britain is the only nation with which we
have any treaty regulating the killing of seals from the Pribilof herd.¢
The legal situation may therefore be summarized as follows:

American citizens, with the exceptions noted, and all others, are
prohibited from killing seals in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean,
or on any land, or in any of the waters of Alaska subject to the juris-
diction of the United States.

The subjects of Great Britain are prohibited from killing seals at
any time within a zone of 60 miles surrounding the Pribilof Islands,
and, during the closed season, from the Ist of May to the 1st of
August, in those waters of the north Pacific Ocean above described.

Citizens of all other nations may, therefore, kill seals at any time
and at any place, excepting the land and water areas of Alaska subject
to the jurisdiction of the United States.

ST. PAUL AND ST. GEORGE A GOVERNMENT RESERVATION.

The laws of the United States, for the purpose of protecting the
seals on their breeding 1ookeries, declare the islands of St. Paul and
St. George to be a special reservation for Government purposes,’ on
which no one, not even a citizen of the United States, may land or
remain except by the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and
Labor. Any person found on either of the islands in violation of
these laws is directed to be summarily removed, and it is made the
duty of the Secretary of War to carry the direction into effect.

For some years after they were made a Government reservation, the
seal rookeries, which are located at widely separated points on the
shores of St. George and St. Paul islands, were guarded by a detachment
of United States soldiers. Since the withdrawal of this military guard
the rookeries have been guarded by armed natives designated for that
duty by the agent in charge. This guard is maintained each year dur-
ing the period when the seals are present on the rookeries, and was
being maintained at the time of the raids in July.

The laws also prohibit the killing of any seals within the limits of
Alaska or the waters thereof, and make it a separate offense to kill
any seals in the waters adjacent to St. Paul or St. George, or on the
beach, cliffs, or rocks of those islands, where they haul up from the
sea to remain. Other provisions expressly prohibit the killing of
female seals, and make it an offense to kill any seals at any time by

a For terms of a modus vivendi with Russia respecting killing on the Asiatic side of
the Pacific, see 28 Stat., 1202.
OR. S., 1959. Also sec. 176, act of March 3, 1899, 30 Stat., 1280.

12 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

the use of firearms or by other means tending to drive them away
from the islands. The penalties for violations of these laws include
fines ranging from $200 to $1,000 or imprisonment, or both fine and
imprisonment, for each offense. Provision is also made for the for-
feiture of vessels whose crews are found violating the laws.

SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

The law vests the supervision and control of the fur-seal fisheries in
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and authorizes him to make
all needful regulations to carry into full effect all of its provisions.
The management and supervision of the seal fisheries on the islands
are exercised through agents which he is authorized to appoint, and
who are charged with the performance of such duties as may be
assigned to them by him.

Existing regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor advise the agents that the only persons entitled to land on
the islands are Government officers, representatives and employees of
the North American Commercial Company, and duly accredited. rep-
resentatives of the Russian Church, and authorize the agents to remove
persons who endanger the peace and good government of the inhabit-
ants of the islands. The regulations also authorize the employment
of the natives in guarding the rookeries, and instruct the agents to take
such action as sound judgment directs, in case of emergency.

At the time of the raids on St. Paul during the past summer the
affairs of the island were in charge of Mr. W. I. Lembkey, chief
agent, and Mr. James Judge, assistant agent.

OPERATIONS OF THE JAPANESE FLEET.
SEALS KILLED CLOSE TO THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS.

The Japanese pelagic sealing fleet which operated in Bering Sea
during the summer consisted of at least 16 vessels, each of which
carried a crew of about 30 men, and from 5 to 7 small boats for
sealing. It is evident from the number of vessels sighted from
the islands that the entire fleet operated exclusively in the waters sur-
rounding the islands, and on many occasions killed seals within the
3-mile limit. The seals which breed on these islands have been un-
disturbed in the waters surrounding them for many years, and they
undoubtedly fell an easy prey to this unexpected onslaught. In view
of this fact, and in view of the further fact that large numbers of
breeding females are continually passing from the islands to the feed-
ing grounds about 150 miles southwest, and from there back to the
islands, the seal herd has without doubt suffered a heavier blow as the
result of the operations of this fleet during the past season than has
been administered to it for many years past.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 13

Wholly aside from the fact that this fleet of vessels engaged in
pelagic sealing at the very doors of a reservation which has been set
aside by this Government for breeding purposes, the crews of some of
the vessels engaged in a series of high-handed and outrageous depre-
dations within the land and water territory of the United States which
included repeated violations of express provisions of its laws. They
used shotguns to kill seals in the water, and used cannon. probably
for signaling. The reports of shotgun firing and the boom of cannon,
which were continually heard on the shore nearly all of two days,
were so close as to disturb injuriously the rookeries. The crews killed
seals in the water close to the shore, easily within the 3-mile limit, and
landed on St. Paul Island. They killed seals on land, 95 per cent of
which were females. At the time of these depredations the entire
armament of the 38 men over 21 years of age on St. Paul Island con-
sisted of 12 rifles. On the other hand, each schooner probably carried
acrew of more than 30 men. If the 4 schooners which were seen
hovering around the islands on these days, and which were undoubt-
edly acting in concert, had united their crews in a raid, they could
have mustered a force of upward of 120 men.

AGENTS POWERLESS UNTIL POACHERS LANDED.

Without water craft the Government agents were unable to do any-
thing to stop the poachers from killing seals in the water, using fire-
arms, and engaging in other unlawful operations within the 3-mile
limit. It was only when the crews of the schooners landed, or attempted
to land, on the islands that they were able to make arrests, and those
of the Japanese who were killed belonged to parties which were caught
red-handed and were attempting to escape arrest.

I have made the foregoing general statements at this point in order
that you may appreciate the excitement and apprehension under which
the residents of the island were laboring, and the courage they dis-
played when the crews of the schooners actually landed and attempted
to transfer the scene of their depredations from the waters surround-
ing the island to the island itself. A more detailed account of the
raids on the rookeries on St. Paul Island, July 16 and 17, is as follows:

LANDING OF JAPANESE POACHERS ON ST. PAUL ISLAND, JULY 16.

About 9 o’clock on the morning of July 16 the native watchmen at
Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, reported a schooner, about 2 miles
out, sailing toward the shore. Upon the receipt of this information
Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and Assistant Agent James Judge, each
accompanied by three or four natives, proceeded to a point on the
shore from which the schooner could be seen. These agents and their
parties then separated and concealed themselves at points where land-
ings were feasible close to two of the principal breeding areas, and

14 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

about half a mile from each other. The schooner, which was easily
seen by these parties, continued to cruise parailel with the shore at a
distance of about 2 miles out until 10.30 a. m., when a small boat put
off and approached within a half mile of the shore.

This movement was evidently for the purpose of locating the seal
rookery, for upon discovering that there were no seals at that par
ticular place the boat returned to the schooner and was taken about a
mile farther on to a point opposite the breeding areas under Hutchin-
son Hill, where it again put off from the schooner and headed for the
shore. The boat shortly afterwards made a landing about 200 yards
east of the largest breeding area on the island—that located under
Hutchinson Hill—and a crew of six Japanese disembarked, pulled up
the boat, and proceeded to cross the beach to the grassy plateau beyond.

A few yards from the water’s edge they were surprised by Chief
Agent Lembkey and the native guard under his command, and in com-
pliance with his order threw up their hands without resistance. In
reply to an inquiry, one of the landing party, who spoke some English,
stated to Mr. Lembkey that they had come ashore for water. It was
obvious, however, after investigating the contents of the boat, that
this statement was untrue. The only receptacle capable of containing
water carried by the boat was a 5-gallon cask, which was full of fresh
water. On the other hand, it was manifest from the presence of seal-
ing clubs, skinning knives, and other paraphernalia for taking seals
on land that the purpose of their visit was to raid the rookery. The
men were accordingly placed in charge of a native guard and later in
the day were taken to the village 12 miles distant on the other end of
the island. The party effecting this capture consisted of Chief Agent
Lembkey and three or four natives. The only arms of the Govern-
ment agent’s force were two rifles carried by the natives.

The boat in which the raiders landed was taken charge of by the
Government agents and is now in their keeping. It is of the Otter
boat type, about 18 feet long, and, in addition to carrying six oars, was
equipped with a mainsail and jib. The boat and its equipment is
typical of the small boats usually carried by the schooners engaged in
pelagic sealing. The oars were mufiled and the rowlocks wound with
rope which was greased with tallow, so that the boat might be pro-
pelled through the water without noise. The oars were fastened to
the boat so that when suddenly dropped they would not float away,
and in front of each seat on both sides of the boat and within easy
reach of the oarsmen was a canvas knife shield. The boat was also
provided with a gun rack. When captured, it contained six sealing
clubs, two skinning knives, a compass, a cask full of fresh water,
some ship’s biscuits, a short sealing club for killing seals in the water,
and bamboo poles with iron hooks for hauling them aboard.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 15

The seal rookeries at Northeast Point, where the raid was attempted,
are the largest and most extensive on the island. A conservative esti-
mate, based upon an actual count of seals on certain portions, places
the total number of seals on these particular rookeries at the time of
the attempted raid at 30,000. Of these 15,000 were females.

During the remainder of the day the schooner from which the boat
put off continued to cruise around Northeast Point, sometimes close
in shore and at other times farther out, but easily within the 3-mile
limit many times.

Upon my arrival at St. Paul Island, July 20, I examined, through
an interpreter, the men captured as above described. They at that time
stated that the name of the schooner from which they came was the
Dai Ni Toyai Maru, i.e., Toya Maru No. 2; that she carried a crew
of 32 men, and had sailed from Hakodate, Japan, May 20, 1906.
They stated that she was not a pelagic sealer, and denied that she
was one of a regular Japanese sealing fleet, but admitted that since
entering Bering Sea she had spoken two or three other Japanese
schooners, among which they named the oso Maru.

OTHER SCHOONERS SIGHTED JULY 16,

At about the same time the Zoyai Jlaru No. 2 was discovered off
Northeast Point on the morning of July 16, another schooner was
sighted at the south end of the island. She cruised off the southwest
part of the island within the territorial waters of the United States
for about two hours. Reef rookery, the second largest breeding
rookery on the island, is located at this point. No attempt was made
to land, however, and the vessel finally disappeared in a fog to the
southward.

About 3 o’clock in the afternoon of the same day still another
schooner was sighted cruising off Halfway Point, which is on the
south side of the island and about midway between the points where
the other schooners were seen. A native guard was placed at this
point for the night, but the vessel, which was about 1 mile from shore,
was soon obscured by the fog. Lukanin and Polovina rookeries are
situated a short distance from where the schooner was seen. The
reports of small arms and the boom of cannon fired a short distance
from shore were heard on different parts of the island during the day.

JAPANESE POACHERS KILLED BY NATIVE GUARD JULY 17.

About 8 o’clock on the morning of July 17 the native guard at
Northeast Point heard the report of shotguns, which were evidently
being fired at seals in the water a short distance from shore. The
guards could not see more than a few yards owing to a dense fog, and
at that time were unable to make out any boats. One of the guards
went inland to report to Agent: Lembkey at the watchhouse, and the

16 ' REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

two remaining, Michael Kozloff and John Fratis, proceeded toa point

on the shore opposite the firing and, concealing themselves, awaited

developments. About half an hour later, during whic time the shot-
gun firing on the water continued at irregular intervals, the guards
discovered three boats a short distance out headed for the shore.
The one closest in contained three Japanese, one of whom occupied a
position in the bow with a shotgun in his hands.

After the occupants of the foremost boat had lowered the sails, and
just as they were about to land on the beach, the two watchmen, who
had remained concealed, appeared on the scene and shouted, *‘ Hands
up!’ The men in the boat instead of complying with this command
hurriedly turned about and commenced to row the boataway from the
shore. Guard Kozloff, who was in charge, motioned with his hands
and called to them to come ashore, and when the boat continued on
her way three rifle shots were fired in the water close to her. She,
did not stop, however, and the guards a few seconds later fired six
shots in rapid succession directly at the boat. Following this shoot-
ing the men ceased to row and dropped into the bottom of the boat,
and the boat slowly drifted in toward shore. The two other boats had
in the meantime disappeared in the fog.

Chief Agent Lembkey, who arrived on the scene shortly after the
shooting, recovered the boat and it was hauled up on the beach. Two
of its occupants were dead and the other was suffering from a wound
in the shoulder.

The boat was of the.same type and equipment as the one captured
the day before. Among other things it contained a quantity of food,
fresh water, 2 loaded shotguns, and 146 loaded and 9 empty shells.
Most of the loaded shells were charged with buckshot, although on
subsequent examination some were found to contain a heavy lead slug
like a rifle bullet. The shotguns showed evidence of having been
recently fired. The boat also contained a seal which apparently had
been killed with a charge of buckshot a short time before.

I learned from the wounded prisoner, whom I interviewed upon my
arrival at the island, that the boat was not from the schooner whose
boat had been captured the day previous, but was from another
schooner—the Jez Maru. The prisoner further stated that the
schooner carried a crew of 30 men, and had sailed from Hakodate,
Japan, May 23,1906. At the time the Japanese attempted to land,
and when the shooting occurred as above described, the entire force
on guard at that point consisted of two natives, each armed with a
rifle.

POACHERS OFF ZAPADNI ROOKERY FIRED ON.

At Zapadni rookery, which is about 12 miles from Northeast Point,
where the events just described took place, shotgun firing close inshore
was heard at frequent intervals during the day, and undoubtedly a

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 17
large number of seals were killed in the water. These operations
were carried on under the protection of a dense fog, and it was not
until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when it lifted, that the native guard
discovered three boats a short distance from shore. The boats con-
tained about 18 men and were headed for land. The guards, two in
number, who were evidently excited over the shooting which had been
going on around them and who believed that the force, which greatly
outnumbered them, was about to land and raid the rookery, opened fire
without delay. The boats immediately pulled out of sight, and it is
not known whether any of the marauders were injured.

POACHERS LAND AND KILL SEALS.

Notwithstanding the capture of the boat on the morning of Tuesday
July 17, the reports of shotguns evidently fired at seals in the water,
were heard off different parts of Northeast Point almost incessantly
during the day. The boom of cannon, probably used for the purpose
of signaling in the fog, was also heard at frequent intervals. The
widely separated points at which these shots were heard indicates that
several boats were thus engaged. A dense fog which hung over the
island partially lifted about 8 o’clock p. m., and disclosed a schooner
riding at anchor less than 300 yards from the breeding rookery on the
west side of Northeast Point. Although the watchmen failed to dis-
cover it, owing to the fog, 18 or 20 men had landed and were at that
time killing seals on the rookery close to the water at a point where
their operations could not be seen farther inland.

The presence of the schooner was immediately reported to the watch-
house, and Chief Agent Lembkey and Assistant Agent Judge, at the
head of a force of about fifteen natives, hurried to the scene. In the
meantime the raiders, who had evidently been warned of the approach
of the native guard by an outpost, hurriedly collected the sealskins
already taken and embarked in their boats, and when the guard arrived
at the shore they were already a few yards off and rowing for the
schooner. Upon their refusing to come ashore, in compliance with an
order given by the Government agents, the native guard was directed
to fire. This fire was returned from the deck of the schooner, but no
one of the island guard was injured. The boats soon came to a stop
and the order was given to cease firing.

The raiding force consisted of a flotilla of five small boats contain-
ing about 20 men. It appears that two of the boats were being
used to carry away skins. The force under the Government agents
consisted of 15 natives, only 6 of whom were armed.

As the boats drew in shore and it became apparent that the raiders
outnumbered the native force, Agent Judge concluded that it would
be dangerous to attempt to capture the entire party with a force armed
with only six rifles. In consequence of this the crew of orly one of

H. Doe. 251, 59—2——2

18 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

the small boats were allowed to land, and the remaining boats were
motioned off and returned to the schooner, which still remained at
anchor a short distance from shore. Had the devastation which the
‘aiders had wrought on the rookery been known at this time, none of
the boats would have been permitted to return to the schooner.

The boat which was compelled to return to shore contained six men,
one of whom was dead and one wounded. The body of one man, who
had evidently fallen overboard when he was shot, floated off and was
not picked up by the boats. It is believed that the body of a third
was thrown overboard when the boats reached the schooner. The
boats of the raiding flotilla were of the same general character as
those previously captured and which I have heretofore described in
detail.

METHODS OF RAIDERS OUTRAGEOUS AND CRUEL.

Upon making an examination of the rookeries at the point where
the small boats were first seen, the Government agents discovered
that the raiders had practically wiped out of existence one section of
a breeding rookery. More than 183 seals had been killed. Of this
number, 120 had been skinned and the skins loaded into the boats, which
had unwittingly been permitted to return to the schooner. It was
apparent that the raiders had been frightened away in the midst of
their raid, because 63 dead and wounded seals, some partially skinned
and others untouched, were found. That part of the rookery which
was raided was what is known as a breeding rookery and was occu-
pied by several hundred female seals, new-born seal pups, and a few
breeding bulls. Bachelor or young male seals do not frequent these
breeding grounds.

All of the seals killed, with the exception of two, were females.
When it is remembered that the killing of female seals is universally
condemned, was prohibited by the Russians as early as 1835, and has
never been permitted by this Government, the fact that over 95 per
cent of the seals killed on the island by the marauders were females
stands out as especially malevolent.

The raid was not only in violation of law, but the method of killing
proceeded along the most cruel and inhuman lines. At this season
of the year female seals have nursing pups and are also pregnant.
Thus the killing of a female results in the loss of three lives to the
herd. While an actual count had not been made before I left the
island, it is estimated that at least 180 pups died of starvation asa
result of the raid.

Some of the seals were only stunned and not killed before being
skinned. Upon their arrival at the scene shortly after the raid, the
Government agents found that some of the 63 seals which had been
clubbed by the raiders, and which had been partially skinned, were
not yet dead.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 19

It also appears that the raiders had been unable to drive away or
kill with their clubs some of the large breeding bulls, which stood
their ground in an effort to protect the rookery, and in order to ren-
der them harmless the raiders had pounded out their eyes. with sealing
clubs. When the Government agents and natives reached the scene
these sightless old fellows still maintained their guard of the rookery.
These, as well as the other seals which had been maimed beyond hope
of recovery, were soon put out of misery by the natives. About 20
sealing clubs and 4 sealing knives were found on the rookery after
the raid.

‘It appears, therefore, that so far as is definitely known on the islands
the occurrences above described resulted in the death of 5 of the raiders,
the wounding of 2, and the capture of a total of 12 prisoners, includ-
ing those wounded. The prisoners, in compliance with an order of
the Government agent, buried their dead on Hutchinson Hill on the
afternoon of July 18. The wounded were early given medical atten-
tion by Dr. F. B. Smith, the physician on the island.

On the evening of July 18 a schooner was sighted off Northeast
Point, but the Japanese prisoners, who were given an opportunity to
examine her through the glasses, seemed to be unable to identify her.

DISPOSITION OF THE CAPTURED RAIDERS.

I arrived at St. Paul Island in company with Hon. George M.
Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, on the afternoon of July 20, 1906,
on the revenue cutter J/cCulloch, Capt. J. C. Cantwell commanding.
The Government agents and the natives were very anxious to get rid
of the prisoners, and they were at once turned over to the McCulloch,
which proceeded to Unalaska. At that place the 10 uninjured men
were turned over to the deputy United States marshal, and the wounded
men, who had been placed under the care of Dr. T. B. McClintic,
were retained on the cutter.

The prisoners were again taken on board the cutter on July 31 and
carried from Unalaska to Kodiak, where a preliminary hearing was
had before United States Commissioner Fred D. Kelsey. As a result
of this hearing they were held to the grand jury and were turned over
to the custody of United States Marshal L. L. Bowers, at Kodiak, for
delivery at Valdez. Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and the native
witnesses then proceeded to Valdez.

I have since been advised that all of the prisoners were indicted by
the grand jury at Valdez and, as a result of subsequent proceedings,
each of them was sentenced to imprisonment for three months in the
Valdez jail. While the punishment meted out to the raiders is hardly
commensurate with the outrageous character of their acts, still it must
not be forgotten that they were merely seamen who, according to
their own statements, went ashore in compliance with the orders of
their superior officers.

20 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

MANY SCHOONERS SIGHTED NEAR ST. PAUL ISLAND.

During the week I spent on St. Paul Island schooners were fre-
quently seen. On July 23 one was sighted cruising about 5 miles to
the southeast; on July 24, at 2 p. m., one was seen about the same
point, and at 7 o’clock in the evening another was sighted sailing less
than 2 miles from shore off the salt house at Northeast Point, which at
that time contained 3,700 skins. She was standing in toward shore
when sighted, and the regular guard of four natives was doubled. On
this day a guard of armed natives was also placed at Zapadni rookery.
On July 26 a schooner was seen off Zapadni Point in the morning and
another off Northeast Point in the evening.

| As the dlc Culloch was leaving the island on the morning of July 27,

the fog lifted and disclosed a schooner lying to about 2 miles fron
Walrus Island. The cutter at once gave chase, but the schooner put
on all sail and headed for a fog bank, in which she was soon lost to
sight and escaped. On the afternoon of the same day the cutter over-
hauled another schooner, the Zokewa Maru. She was outside the
3-mile limit, however, and as there was nothing to indicate that she
had participated in the recent raids, she was not even spoken by
the cutter.

Since my return I have been advised that schooners were frequently
seen in the vicinity of the islands during August, and that on the 8th
of August a watchman on St. Paul Island saw a schooner make a land-
ing on Otter Island. At the time I visited Otter Island, in the latter
part of July, there were only a few seals there. I am informed,
however, that later in the season the number of seals on this island
increases and that more than 1,000 seals have been found there on
occasions.

RAIDS EVIDENTLY PLANNED IN ADVANCE.

It is evident that the four schooners seen around St. Paul Island on
the days of the raids were acting in concert in pursuance of plans care-
fully laid previous to their departure from a Japanese port. At least
three of these schooners sailed from the same port in Japan about the
same time. They spoke each other after arriving in Bering Sea, and
appeared off widely separated points of the island about the same time.
It is improbable that these coincidences were accidental.

GOVERNMENT AGENTS ENTITLED TO CREDIT.

Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and Assistant Agent James Judge are
entitled to great credit for the intelligent and courageous way they
handled what in my judgment was a dangerous and difficult situation.
The native guards also demonstrated that they could be relied on in
case of emergency, and are entitled to credit for the splendid support
they gave the Government agents.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 21

The Russian as well as the American islands have always been
looked upon with envious eyes by the pelagic sealers. The Govern-
ment agents knew that the year previous the crews of schooners, act-
ng in concert, had effected a landing on the Russian seal islands and
had held off the armed guard at least two weeks, during which time
both sides suffered many casualties and many seals were killed.

At the time of the raids the entire male population of St. Paul
Island, including the two Government agents, the company’s repre-
sentatives, and all the natives over 21 years of age, was 38. The com-
bined crews of the schooners which appeared off the island greatly
outnumbered this force, and had they once gained a foothold there was
nothing to prevent their killing an unlimited number of seals, robbing
the salt houses, committing other depredations, and sailing away.

Knowledge of these facts, coupled with an appreciation of their
helplessness and inability to stop the unlawful killing of seals in the
water a short distance from shore, undoubtedly prompted the Goy-
ernment agents to take summary action when the marauders landed
and attempted to transfer their operations from the water to the land.
Manifestly the situation was one which called for such action.

While neither the law nor the regulations in terms direct the agents
to use force in protecting the rookeries, their duty and authority so
to do is beyond question. They are sent to the islands for the pur-
pose, among other things, of enforcing the laws; are supplied with
arms and ammunition, and are authorized to employ the natives in
guarding the rookeries. They were familiar with the fact that poach-
ing vessels had been seized by the agents and revenue cutters on pre-
vious occasions, and that on at least one occasion the native guard had
fired on the crew of a vessel which attempted to raid the rookeries.

The unlawful killing of seals within the territorial waters surround-
ing the islands, the landing on St. Paul, and the commission of other
depredations, such as those of the past summer, can undoubtedly be
prevented by the establishment of an active revenue-cutter patrol.
It is imperative, however, if the seals are to be protected on their
rookeries, that a closer and more continuous surveillance of the waters
surrounding the islands be maintained permanently in the future.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO REVENUE-CUTTER PATROL.

The patrol maintained by the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service
has for a number of years past consisted largely of cruises around the
60-mile zone in Bering Sea. The vessel detailed on this duty does not,
under ordinary circumstances, reach the sea until about the Ist of
August, that being the time vessels of the Canadian fleet are per-
mitted, by the terms of the award of the Paris tribunal, to enter those

22 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

waters. The nominal purpose of the patrol is to prevent the vessels
of the Canadian fleet from sealing inside the 60-mile zone. I recom-
mend that this patrol be reorganized along the following lines.

One of the important provisions of the award is that which forbids
the citizens and subjects of Great Britain and the United States to
kill, capture, or pursue in any manner whatever, during the season
extending each year from the Ist of May to the 31st of July, both
inclusive, fur seals on the high seas in the North Pacific Ocean or
Bering Sea.“ At that time the females are heavy with young and the
herd is proceeding northward along the Pacific coast and through the
Aleutian passes to Bering Sea and the Pribilof Islands. It is a most
humane provision and should be strictly enforced. I am convinced,
however, from the reports I received while in Alaska, that at least
five or six Canadian schooners failed to bring their operations to a close
on the 1st of May last.

In view of these facts I recommend that a revenue cutter be required
to cruise along the coast of Alaska, from the Ist of May until the
middle or latter part of June, along the route known to be taken by
the seal herd. It is possible to ascertain with a reasonable degree of
certainty the general location of the herd at that time of the year.
The pelagic sealers know where to find the seals and how to follow
them up. The cutter detailed on this patrol should also secure that
information and pursue the same course as that pursued by the pelagic
sealers—that is, in a general way to follow up the herd. :

It also developed during the course of my investigation that it is
the practice of the vessels of the Canadian fleet to cruise in the waters
of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea before the closed season
comes to an end, in order that they may be on the ground at the time
it opens. It has been persistently reported that some of these vessels
do not wait until the season opens before commencing operations. I
therefore recommend that the vessel which has been engaged in fol-
lowing the herd northward along the coast from the Ist of May, cruise
around the Aleutian Islands, both outside and inside of Bering Sea,
during the month of July. *

This vessel should then be required to maintain the usual patrol
around the confines of the 60-mile zone from the Ist of August until
such a time as the vessels of the Canadian fleet cease their operations
and leave the sea.

From my knowledge of the situation I believe it to be entirely pos-
sible for one vessel to maintain the patrol as above outlined.

AN ADDITIONAL PATROL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.

In addition to the foregoing I recommend that a vessel of the Rev-
enue-Cutter Service be directed to patrol the waters of Bering Sea in

«3 Comp. Stat., p. 3005, art. 2.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 20

the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands continually from the Ist of June
to as late in October as the weather permits, or as the pelagic sealing
fleet of any nation other than Great Britain is in those waters. This
vessel should cruise close to the islands, and should be required to
call at each island not less than once every two weeks for the pur-
pose of securing from the agent in charge information as to the num-
ber and character of vessels sighted from the islands during the time
it has been cruising elsewhere.

The vessels engaged on the patrol should be required not only to
cooperate with the chief agent of the seal fisheries, but to transport
him to points in Alaska, to the various islands of the Pribilof group,
and to comply with such other requests as he may find it necessary to
make in connection with the discharge of his duties.

OFFICERS SHOULD MAKE DETAILED REPORTS.

The oflicers of these vessels should also make a detailed annual
report to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. This report should
contain information as to the date the patrol is commenced; the course
or route of the vessel; the number of days, exclusive of those spent in
port, that the vessel was on the patrol; the number of times it called
at the seal islands, and the time the patrol came to a close.

In view of the fact that one or more vessels of ‘the Revenue-Cutter
Service have for years been engaged on the seal patrol, the carrying
out of the foregoing recommendations will not entail any considerable
additional expense on the Government.

RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO STRENGTHENING THE LAWS.

The laws for the protection of the seal fisheries are in a very unsatis-
factory condition, and in my judgment are insufficient to meet exist-
ing conditions. As they now stand they consist of disconnected and
wholly unrelated provisions which have been enacted at different times
to meet emergencies, and, as some of the later provisions modify or
constructively repeal some of the earlier provisions, there is consider-
able room for confusion and doubt. It is highly desirable that all of
the laws with reference to the seal fisheries be embodied in one com-
prehensive act, and that existing provisions be strengthened and sup-
plemented in the following important particulars:

The law should expressly set aside all of the islands of the Pribilof
group as a special reservation for Government purposes. As it now
stands, it in terms includes only the islands of St. Paul and St. George,
in consequence of which there is grave doubt as to the status of Otter
Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock. Thousands of seals fre-
quent Sea Lion Rock, and some seasons a considerable number resort
to Otter Island. The islands referred to are only a few miles from
the island of St. Paul, the largest of the Pribilof group, and it is

24 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

essential that they be included in all laws enacted for the protection
and preservation of the seal herd.

It should in terms be declared unlawful for aliens, as well as citizens,
either to enter the territorial waters surrounding the islands or to
land on the islands themselves without permits so to do from the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor, except in cases of stress of weather
or for water. Vessels entering the waters for these excepted purposes
should, however, be required to approach the islands at the villages
and ‘not attempt to land at isolated portions of St. Paul or St. George
islands where are located the principal breeding rookeries. Landings
on the uninhabited islands of the group should also be prohibited.

Those provisions which make it unlawful for any person to kill seals
in the water or kill seals by the use of firearms or by any means tend-
ing to drive the seals away from the islands, or to kill female seals,
should be strengthened and continued in force. No person, of course,
except those operating under lease from the Government, should be
permitted to kill seals on land.

AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT AGENTS SHOULD BE EXTENDED.

The Government agents on the islands should, under the direction
of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, be charged with the enforce-
ment of the law and expressly authorized to use force in carrying its
provisions into effect and in protecting the rookeries, including the
right to make arrests. They should also be expressly authorized to
designate, arm, and maintain a native guard to assist them in preserv-
ing order, enforcing the law, and in making arrests.

The chief agent on the island should be empowered to take action in
case of violations of the seal laws similar to that taken by United States
commissioners in case of violations of laws of the United States; that
is to say, he should be authorized to conduct hearings and bind over
to the grand jury, or commit, pending investigation, persons arrested
for the violation of those laws.

Owing to the isolated situation of the islands it is highly desirable
that some person have authority to conduct an official investigation on
the ground where witnesses are available in cases of arrest similar to
those which were made during the past summer.

The act should also contain a provision making it an offense to
attempt to do any of the things declared to be unlawful. The penal-
ties for violations of the laws should be more severe, and it should be
made the duty of the officers of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service
and of the Navy to search any vessel found within the territorial
waters surrounding the islands.

Authority should also be given to seize and forfeit any trespassing
vessel found within these waters with seals or sealskins and the para-
phernalia for taking or capturing the same.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 95
LACK OF PROPER ARMS AND AMMUNITION.

I also recommend that the Department give early consideration to
the matter of placing at the disposal of the agents on the islands a proper
supply of arms and. ammunition. Aside from a small brass cannon
used for signaling and a few rifles owned by the natives, the entire
equipment available for use in protecting the seal rookeries and the
villages and salt houses on the islands, consists at the present time of
12 rifles on St. Paul and 6 on St. George.

It is obvious that under existing circumstances it would be entirely
possible for the combined crews of four or five schooners, such as
cruised around the islands during the past summer, or for a crew of
pirates, such as that on the Carmencita, which hovered around the
islands last year, to land and not only raid the rookeries but plunder
the village and salt houses, where are stored valuable skins.

Unless they are furnished with the proper arms, the handful of people
on these islands can not reasonably be expected to successfully guard
seal rookeries worth millions of dollars, which the lawless crews of
a score of poaching schooners are ever ready to raid. All the world
knows that the United States owns the Pribilof Islands, and that in the
exercise of its sovereign power and for the purpose of preserving the
seal herd which frequents those islands it has enacted laws making it
unlawful for any person to land or remain thereon, and all the world
should be given to understand in unmistakable terms that vessels which
approach within the 3-mile limit do so at their peril.

RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO ARMS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.

In view of the foregoing, I urgently recommend that the islands of
St. Paul and St. George be equipped with a sufficient number of small
cannon to permit the placing of one or more at the various points of
landing and in the vicinity of the principal seal rookeries. To avoid
all danger of international complications, the cannon supplied may very
properly be limited to guns firing a solid shot and having a maximum
range of 3 miles or less. Each island should also be equipped with
one or more rapid-fire guns for use in case of an attempt by a landing
party to plunder the salt houses or the villages. The supply of rifles
and ammunition should also be increased.

I found on investigation that those interested in pelagic sealing keep
themselves well posted on the measures taken by this Government to
enforce its laws and regulations and the provisions of treaties with
other nations. They are, for instance, not slow, as has been demon-
strated by the events of the past summer, to take advantage of the unpro-
tected condition of the sealislands. In view of this fact, I believe that
if it beeame known that vessels coming within 3 miles of the Pribilof
Islands were liable to be fired upon, pelagic sealers would on all occasions

26 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

give those islands a wide berth. Further than this, it must be remem-
bered that the vessels which frequent these waters are engaged at our
very doors in a practice forbidden to our own citizens and frowned upon
by our laws—that of pelagic sealing. Ican see noreason why any special
consideration should be shown them. Vessels engaged in legitimate
business do not frequent these waters. No one goes there for pleas-
ure, and commercial steamers never call, as the islands are more than
50 miles out of their course.

It is also highly desirable that the Government agent in charge be
furnished with a gasoline launch of sufficient size to permit of the
mounting of a light gun. <A vessel of this kind would be of material
assistance in preventing the crews of poaching schooners from using
firearms and killing seals in the water within the 3-mile limit.

The agents on St. Paul Island should also be supplied with a team
of horses and a light wagon, and the necessary equipment for main-
taining the same. The native village is located on the southern
extremity of the island at distances ranging from 3 to 14 miles from
the various rookeries. Without means for rapidly transporting the
agents and native guard from the village to these distant rookeries, it
is entirely possible for a boat’s crew to land and raid a rookery before
the Government agents can reach the spot and stop their operations.

MILITARY GUARD NOT NECESSARY.

I do not believe it is either necessary or desirable to station a marine
or military guard onthe islands. If the Government agents and native
guards are supplied with the necessary arms and ammunition, they
will without doubt be able to meet any emergency which may arise.
This was conclusively demonstrated by the events of the past summer.

DUTIES OF CHIEF AGENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED.

ITalso recommend that the chief agent, at least once each season,
visit all of the seal islands, examine into the conditions, and make full
report thereof in person to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor at
the close of the season. He should also annually investigate and
report on the catch of seals bv the coast Indians of Alaska. Under
existing conditions it is impossible for the chief agent to do any of
these things, and, in the regular course of events, he comes to Wash-
ington only every other winter. This is due to the fact that the pres-
ent force consists of but one chief agent and three assistant agents.
At Jeast one assistant agent should be added to the force.

The nature of the duties of these agents is such that at least two
agents should be present on each island during the summer, and at
least one agent during the remainder of the time. It is imperative
that at least one agent be present continually on St. Paul and one on

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. ' 27

St. George. Under these circumstances the chief agent, in addition
to supervising and managing the fisheries, must discharge the duties
of one of the assistant agents. It is therefore impossible for him to
properly supervise the work on any island other than the one on which
he is located. It is also impossible for him to report to and confer
with the Department at Washington each year, which, in my judgment,
isessential. I recommend, therefore, that an additional assistant agent
be appointed, and that the duties of the chief agent be enlarged as
above indicated.

KILLING OF SEALS BY COAST INDIANS SHOULD BE REGULATED.

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number of seals are killed an-
nually by the coast Indians of Alaska, that branch of the sealing industry
has received little attention at the hands of the Government. I recom-
mend that it be investigated with a view to its regulation and supervi-
sion. The Department should be advised of the methods of killing
and the disposition of the skins. In this connection I also suggest
that the collectors and deputy collectors of customs in Alaska be
directed to report annually in the fall to the Department such infor-
mation with reference to the taking of seals as may come into their
possession during the year. They should. also furnish detailed infor-
mation as to all shipments of skins.

IMPORTANCE OF PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO PELAGIC SEALING.

In your last annual report you made the following statement and
recommendation: ‘‘The decrease in seal life on the Pribilof Islands is
directly attributable to pelagic sealing, and a strong effort should be
made to secure international regulations which will stop it.” The
existing condition of the seal berd conclusively demonstrates the cor-
rectness of your statement and the wisdom of your recommendation.
Tam convinced, as a result of the study I have given the subject and
the investigation made during the past summer, that the total cessation
of pelagic sealing is imperative in order to preserve the herd.

DECREASE IN SEAL LIFE DUE SOLELY TO PELAGIC SEALING.

That the decrease in seal life on the Pribilof Islands is due solely to
pelagic sealing can not seriously be questioned. ‘* Owing to the polyg-
amous habit of fur seals,” states the report of the Jordan Commis-
sion, ‘‘ the greater part of the male life born is superfluous for breeding
purposes. For the 130,000 breeding cows found on the rookeries of
St. Paul and St. George islands in the season of 1897, 4,418 bulls were
adequate, or at least out of fully 10,000 bulls ready and willing to
serve harems only this number were able to obtain them. Therefore,
only 1 bull in 30 is absolutely necessary under present conditions.

28 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

That this limit could be materially lowered without positive danger to
the herd is conclusively shown by the history of the Russian herd on
Bering Island, where the observations of the past three years, as
detailed by Doctor Stejneger, show that a male fur seal is capable of
attending to the wants of between 100 and 200 cows.” @

There never has been a time since this Government came into con-
trol of the herd when there were no idle bulls on the islands. It is
manifest, therefore, that the decrease in the herd is due:to the killing
of females, which are taken only by pelagic sealers. The number
of idle bulls present on the island is a matter which has always been
carefully watched. Three years ago, when it became apparent that
there was a decrease in idle bulls, the Department established regula-
tions whereby 2,000 choice 2 and 3 year old males were selected,
branded, and dismissed from the herd for breeding purposes before
the company commenced taking its quota for commercial purposes.
This action was not due to an entire absence of idle bulls, but was
taken solely because theygwere decreasing in numbers. Furthermore,
the result of the regulation is already apparent, and as soon as the
seals thus reserved reach the breeding age the number of idle bulls
on the island will have again reached a safe margin.

UNNECESSARY AND INEXPEDIENT TO STOP LAND KILLING.

Regardless of whether the Government concludes to again lease the
sealing privilege or to itself conduct the sealing industry, it is mani-
fest that the land killing of seals should not be stopped. It is neither
necessary nor expedient. It is unnecessary for the reason that there
is no abnormal shortage in male seals which are killed on land, and it
is not expedient for the reason that if no Alaskan fur-seal skins
are secured it will result in the substitution of something else. The
two companies which have operated on the islands under lease from
the Government have spent thousands of dollars in building up the
seal-fur trade. The first company which secured this right was for
some years unable to profitably dispose of its annual catch because
there was no demand for fur-seal skins. Fur-seal skins are now, and
have been for a number of years past, in demand because it is now
and has been the fashion to wear them. The fashion controls the
demand.

With a view to determining the effect of a rational land killing in
the event of a total cessation of pelagic sealing, Mr. W. I. Lembkey,
agent in charge and an expert in these matters, at my request prepared
a table’ which I believe is a very conservative estimate of the probable
increase in the size of the herd. It is manifest from this table that if

«Report of Fur-Seal Investigations, 1896-97, pt. 1, p. 119.
bSubmitted herewith as Appendix B.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 29

pelagic sealing is stopped, a limited number of male seals may be killed
on the islands each year in increasing numbers without impeding the
natural increase of the herd. It is my judgment, therefore, in view
of the foregoing, that the killing’ on land should not be stopped, but
should be permitted to proceed on a rational basis.

REDUCTION OF HERD TO A BREEDING NUCLEUS UNDESIRABLE.

The suggestion not infrequently made in recent years that this Goy-
ernment authorize the killing of all save a breeding nucleus of a few
hundred seals as a means of stopping pelagic sealing is neither sensi-
ble nor humane. In the first place, if left alone the pelagic sealers
will accomplish this result in a very short time; and,in the second
place, it would not settle the question. Just as soon as the herd
increased to a size sufficient to make land killing permissible and
profitable, pelagic sealing would be profitable, and the question would
again be an open one.

EXPERIMENTS WITH BRANDS AND TAGS SUGGESTED.

In this connection permit me to suggest that in my judgment it
would be practicable to brand or tag all of the seals born on the islands
in the same way that the great herds of cattle which roam the western
prairies are branded, and that action of this kind on the part of this
Government would reduce the seals to its possession and justify it in
protecting them on the high seas.

The experience of recent years in annually branding 2,000 young
male seals demonstrates: First, that a brand of a permanent nature
can be placed on the seal without injury to the animal; and, second,
that the branded animals return to the islands from year to year. In
view of the foregoing, I recommend that the Departinent conduct
experiments with brands and metal tags. I believe it would be entirely
possible to attach to the young seals before they leave the islands
metal tags, on which might be stamped the words ‘* Property of the
United States.” If this tag was uniformly fastened by means of a
wire on the same part of the body of the seal, it would leave a mark
on the inner side of the skin which would be suflicient to identify it
in case the seal was killed, even if the tag had, in the meantime, been
removed.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION.

For your further information I attach hereto, as Appendix A, certain
statistical information with reference to the Pribilof fur-seal herd, from
the time of the discovery of the Pribilof Islands to date, as follows:

Taste 1.-—Number of seals killed on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska,
from 1786 to 1906, inclusive.

30) REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

TasBLE 2.—Pelagic and land catches from the Pribilof herd from
1868, when the Pribilof Islands came into the possession of the United
States, to 1906; the revenue derived by the Government, and the aver-
age prices obtained for the skins.

TABLE 3.—Size of the Pribilof herd since its discovery in 1786.

Taser 4.—Annual quotas allowed lessees of the seal islands and the
skins shipped thereunder from 1870 to 1905. ;

TABLE 5.—Receipts and expenditures in connection with the admin-
istration of the fur-seal fisheries.

Very respectfully,
Epwin W. SIs,
Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor.

Hon. Victor H. Mrrcatr,
Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

APPENDIX A.

STATISTICS OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD FROM
THE DISCOVERY OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS,
1786, TO 1906, INCLUSIVE.

STATISTICS OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD, 1786-1906.

TABLE 1.—SraALs KILLED ON PripiLtor ISLANDS, ALASKA, 1786-1906.

[Compiled from the most trustworthy sources obtainable.]

1 |
Re ae 2 Si SReiss: ‘Total killed) Reserved
Year. | : | rene | for both for

aed Bachelors. Total. Pek | Bacie | Total. islands. |breeding.

IUPAC SIT OG B55 ae ey ee ee oe eed ese Hep Vase ee e cae See ae eens GANT 758) lees eeaee
FLEAS Gee ees oe oe te | Bee eet ie heer op ae aa Belson es 2a ere oe bES4a SO Nee seeeee
US Mpa = SEE ea Ss cee eal ae ahaa eel CUATERG ON Gaertn ne [fats aeRO ces € 12,328 COPA TIES) Les ee
TSS ected 2 leccze||& ah ort a aul ieee cea te GS ORD IS cootece | Leagues ane ce 13,924 CES ONSAGn bee neeeee
SIO peEpetEn ace Lee Salle aA eet eu CVA0" 300n) ce oene lice nen abe e 11, 924 Bilsyy ONE Tea ot
10) pee Np AR Ee eae eget A We de C99: 700K sees nelincs Sees ¢ 10,520 HH OND ON eeenemene
SUSI a ee eel ees oh ree Ii) Cu25, 750) eee Stee eee © 9,245 Oe ey ase ees
TID &. « Ded Na |S hae SS Ne eg FP exeav Ost Sah |e ee Maal | ge ¢ 8,319 c 36,469 | ¢ 2,700
TRO eee ae Nee eS fe see aay tle ey CLOATOO Blame netic: late relates e 5,773 ¢ 29, 873 ec 6,000
FTO Sane beast its Pieper eth meds sie cree GUT OE SHO ae eee py lise nee ant e 5, 550 e 25, 400 ¢ 2,500
STAs Wistoc agate ae Ck EDM, SRR AR 2 Oh pees re es CROAT GOON Pence etait ome oe e 5,500 €:3051 00) bao s_ ose
SOG eet bor tore eee eo Ww CLIS ORO cease cellnoe septs cae (d) 6 235050 ule os aaueeee
US) RA ee oe al Nea | eee eee le ep OM OOH ee ctr cl ey ere See (d) C9700) eeeeneeeee
SOG Hay Seaue eel | Lute euliuee. El aie eo eee tOheT OBA 5 OM Merete re|incectaee ee ¢ 4,778 Ch OB SOO RT Nee: ae
716} eae Ne Oe, | eae a nag Pee CHITA OM eae cere atel | eeystaen A. e 3,661 cP OOM Tali anen tengeee
TCE) MIME Hs iar re pie ore A hie GMT HE 200M sre yaaa (ake ue suey @ 27884 sc) 18034) |oe. Laman
SSSI SS US eee Py a 8 ae Ie ewe GRID NOB OU moma tec kee wae cen G S404 ce) 1650545 pa oneeeeee
AGRO RARE ah et See ae aa Ch Sel 50a aeeet nal boos ae see GSD 0GulinE cullG544 6m |eaemenne
ACR Ey 5 NON: Peat ee | ean | RR Be ee 13. 200i bearemcallae sash see e 3,212 CoG ea 12s heen nee
GSA cap teen dy Sama N. eu tie 2 CRTOM TOO) eer eetenielitat Ieee ale ¢ 3,051 che 75 lu eee
cI By See ean ee e 3,952 COO Paik Cr Ando mere yee eee oie © 2,528 © 6,580 e 8,000
BBG ait. uote dara e 2,840 e 1,200 CA O40) een ad ee Sane ahs © 2,550 e 6,590 ce 7,750
7K ean Cena e 2,020 CUONOOO) a, G 44990) em geet a rae ee ¢ 2,580 | © 6,802 e 7,000
HER Se cet eae e 1,380 CHOC GHOR am 6,4 ODO ene seme lee cei a aceon eet iE (HOW \lsasdoncene
IU E1!) eae oe Renae e 230 e 5,000 PANS OE NYS TO Make cs Sot a LAr eae Se ee Wea Pie f6 0008 pease
ASLO sor Aeron e 650 OS FSD) COU asses cclosebsoasos ait ame aT Ef SOOO) areas
1b eee Sand eae e 900 e 7,100 | EUS NOOO: [emcee rsena ees cetera lis aceite aS HOUOH Be mcmmenee
S42 eee s| e 1,260 ROHS OON Teen OnOGO | epe Memee tp oeec mer (Reels haat FAO SS 7 Oy eee eee
fc Uae eae eae Ve e 1,294 e 10,050 Oral SAAN ar be pared oa ys ae ae Re ae iF 122 05 eee ees
Tic). ain Br ORR e 2, 632 € 10, 150 CON RD. | aie onnpe (Paeca nea sap ee aeons el aan Gp Ely ae
GHD aot Scat ee | e 3,428 e 9,550 CDN G7S apes tay eral Meads abel ya ieee pa fe 1B46Si7 1 azn
S46) ee rar ae | e 3,508 en OROOONUy EMT eBO Bile cemrg lab eens ets Se ae bf Gy On es neon ee
IGE ee Ae es | € 3,258 CHS WeeA RON NN MICHAL ZA TOO fete (te ged ty cal tee Aha A aie TAA UAUE I ee depen
SAR)? oo nee Meee é 3,370 ENT SNGOOK ear exlOU DRO) yas tye uk|| ee way ancl eink Van la GHOH Leer
SACS ye See ws Jene 3.350) EA TOAOOORI MN WesT SUB HO uae ae sa ee 5 ID 0 ok ee Gf GALEAD) Wee RA Se
TEE) eee Tee le e4538 AS GRU) CNG) Wlteh | 2an sone equeeesecn|lesaeapeese Gf AY bac seboace
GD terse ie e 930 eye OOH Meru DO yan aa aey ay MaeuiL Mah Ocha Fis D64y |e sae
DSH oe sd tet hare e 1,250 ENOvSSOI Ee enLONGSO Ne Maemnan |e slentcmen|Geeceokee GPA Nansen ote
Tce eee eee e 1,700 PTS OOGH iy uk HGOO | shen ceo cant. oe ease tere Hubs OB) | Wueon Lo kee
Sager a aly: e 1,400 CVSS 486 Tail MeSD L261 | Pe saemeeeh a eepreeluemes oe aoe Hs 2G NTA Gh) Een ogee

a Berg’s Chronological History, 1820, cited in Vol. I, Appendix to Case of United States, Paris Tri-

bunal of Arbitration, reprint 1895, page 125.

that 49 000 skins were secured in 1786.

b Blliott’s Monograph, reprint ‘‘Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’ part 3, page 115, gives the number
killed from 1797 to 1821 as 1,112,374. after deducting 5,000 annually for skins shipped from the Com-
This number of 844,890 is obtained by deducting from the above number the num-
ber stated by Veniaminof to have been killed during the years 1817 to 1821.
represents not more than one-half the seals killed during this period, because of the great loss
through wastefulness and crude methods of curing skins.

¢ Veniaminof, ‘‘ Notes on Islands of Unalaska District,’ part 2, Table 6, cited in Case of United

mander Islands.

States, Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris, reprint 1895, page 126.

The result

taken from original publication, on file in Division of Seal Fisheries, year 1894.)
ad Closed season.
e Manuscript record of Shisenikoff.

f Report o

H. H. Mehityre, 1869.

See also H. H. Bancroft, Vol. XXVIII, page 193, stating

probably

(A photographie copy of this table,

(Photographie copy in Division of Seal Fisheries, year 1894.)
(House Ex. Doc. No. 36, 41st Cong., 2d sess.) The same figures

also occur in Report of British Bering Sea Commissioners, par. 771, reprint 1895, vol. 6, ‘‘ Proceedings

of Paris Tribunal,’ page 194.
ently only to skins shipped.

H. Doe. 251, 59—2——3

McIntyre’s figures evidently exclude pups killed, and relate appar-
The figures for the years 1888 to 1841, inclusive, are approximate.

33

34 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

TABLE 1.—Seats Kiuuep on Prisrior Ishanps, ALASKA, 1786-1906—Continued.

St. Paul. St. George. . |
< i. a ee 7 = peeerareras Reserved
ear. fie | Natal ee i or both | for
nad elo Total. nee | Bache | Total. islands. breeding.
_ — a
S00 2508 eee 2 058 eee | eee [aie ss aves Oe na eee Saeed We ie etd oe | Rikarephne le ec eae
S56) «ja hacen cee [Neots els ciel accross sete |Les are yeratarateistatail eciofare levoval niet ce erercios Jeter eee Via 25S OD0 Nl ee sincece
1S DY Dee = OOS easen GeEeeeneoaed| becud caus abcditbsocdans Seeasaosnd Soccas aces PALAU OPA | Perea miei
WB HS are wicm craze Seal ocisrae ss &iare-a| |". <ovoleqorarevesasarel | Segotasree eS iare| erere lecerave | Sine ereieio Sieve tee claves evans @ BIS810 lis -.- sc sshee
SOO ca cciejateeveee ate erete ace. o. oo iase|| arts reyovesmseyege all terse fare otelwtevelel| terereve site| mney erere, ate rar levercierornerefers CEPPIAN) lisse cnccac
TSE OA Se es cern Rass... alaeaeneee oor ee ese leer ee camel IAS ee tS nae ee OPAL) Pauosaesoe
Ne) Pee ees at 36r AERe eens SEM CGorOr lancer c bor aac sonalttaccace dost arooaaa cc D 29)1699 1... nsec see
DCS SUE COSC AE] SOE eeEe ea accmb Stor |B Sesto = RA trees oie | ATR | Wey Se a | B34) /294" ccm oes
NB8O3 sacs cece dl sco eecoee) ne seis ae ete ee ET Fae are Rte OS oo ee a ees |) © (OS 25° 000) eee sere
1864 Pace Ssen Sse [tec shee: Pascoe meena Jeti boce las Dubs tee| Decne S| Pekee tee | 0°26; 000) See aaanan
WSGd wee ceeieee tia | emcee neer | spajaterecheye eres | Ltecescveves cts tete tm eileic aie ates: si| sieetstemrsia’s al] eye srersieveicwe's b 40,000) |nccee. see
IS So awatee eae Geeeebacee | pease eae 9 | SR ere | ye ene | eer ee | ee eee 042000) |saceeseeee
NS GT Fe Se har arwce cers 3 oh ciesapaterste 12)| Seer te siete role lovee soccer atanes | iret reesrothn [epee onetotarel erence taraeS I J0875: 000" aeeeeeee
TOES ae [200 iy ia laos os 8 Sa. || a Ui te rs ea ga b 242,000 ......----
Iola ae Rees Ate ener siete tee el Ie ten! lo pecao cl acco e aos eet res b 87, O00) Sos enc eeee
VS (Olen eeiecee ee e 2,800 e 12,514 e 15,314 Je 1,200 | © 7,259 ce 8,459 PRY TMIB leeanoaonoe
yi Seep ees oee ce 2,877 | ce 77, 926 c 81,803 |e 2,090 | ¢ 19,067 | ¢ 21,157 | WO? 9608 eee
ORC P Aa ees eer ae e-§, 121 | e 76, 698 e€ 81,819 je 2,000 | ¢ 25,000 | ¢ 27,000 108/819) | Peaeerceee
WSS ees Oo hee es ¢e 5,489 ¢ 76, 498 e 81,987 |e 2,190} ¢ 25, @00 | ¢ 27,190 | 109, U77. |2 8 Beene
VGA x eieosaemo ce e 4,897 e 98, 242 e 98,139 |¢ 2,446 | ¢ 10,000 | © 12, 446 | 110;,585) 122s
VSiDresasase cose | e738) 745 ¢ 91,215 e 94,960 |¢ 1,500 © 10,000 | ¢ 11,500 | 1O6S460) Semester
DRS aeaenOe ae ce | ¢ 8,958 e 79,199 | e 88,157 |e 1,500 | ¢ 10,000 | ¢ 11,500 9416517 eas Sree
TOTES ee cee ¢ 5,007 | © 62,803 | ¢ 67,810 Je 1,500 | ¢ 15,000 | ¢ 16,500 SESH) HN eougoacnee
B70) nas acess eee ¢ 5, 206 ¢ 83,313 | € $8,519 |e 1,500 | ¢ 19,304 | © 20,804 109,323) |Sseseseee—
STO sates asce ee e 5,071 c 88, 250 | ¢ 88,321 |¢ 1,506 | o 20,684 | ¢ 22, 190 | 110; D1 | Sosa eee
TRSOL So ase oe ee e 4,413 | © 80,366 | ¢ 84,779 |e 1,330 |-¢ 12,609 | ¢ 20,939} 105,718 |..........
IG ee Sa eecooos! acerca cess e 83, 774 c 83,774 |e 1,031 | ¢ 20,258 | ¢ 21, 289 | 1053063) |Beosseee=
W882). cicsc nse cece |ccnecicce ce 79,834 | ~c 79) 834 |. 22... ..| © 19,978 | ¢ 19, 978 99;,812) |\; .2e."Ss28
P8883 -sassn5<iecceee e 2,982 e 60,313 | ¢ 68,295 |e 1,00 ¢ 15,214 | ¢ 16,214 | 79,509) Ne cose cere
S84 a25 203. cscs ce 2,741 ec 86,120 | © 88,861 Je 1,500 | ¢ 15,073 | ¢ 16,573 105;,434.).. 2 coerce
ABS Ye ac cc Seceeee c 2788 | c¢ 86,092! ¢ 88,880 |¢ 1,080 | ¢ 15,064 | ¢ 16,144 | 105,024 |..........
ache Neo Rete) rc ce 2,824 ¢ 85, 261 | € 88,085 |¢ 1,286 | ¢ 15,150 | ¢ 16, 486 104521, ||:2ssaeas
NS SU ha rae sorta cls ate ce 2,177 ce 86,915 | ~¢ 89,092 |¢ 1,356 | ¢ 15,312 | ¢ 16, 668 | 105; 760) |hee =a 2eeee
T888rs soce ct osccee ce 2,178 e 84,092 e 86,270 h 978 | ¢ 16,056 | ¢ 17, 084 | 1035304 |S sas5cene
1889! oce5 eee e 2,280 ¢e 8d, 112 c 87,392 |¢ 1,071 | ¢ 14,154 | ¢ 15, 225 LOQNGU7 | Sacer
S90 assem cee | d 2,364 ce 19, 556 e 21,920 |d 1,104 ¢ 5, 035 é 6,189 2728) 009M seaceeesee
PG OTe &. NS SAME aia er ravers settle 9,579 2935791 |leeemesee 2,461 e 2,461 é' 12;040) 5 ce ctmce
BOD) oecio'scroacie ate | sles eajeeees 5, 009 €) D009) Peete 2,502 e 2,502 Cn, OU) 5 Swe ears
1 O03 eB -ccs sere loses acces 5, 500 | C0, 000) ieeee see 1, 896 e 1,896 €: 71,396) |: scceeose
BOA Scare teers | ts eeie ees 1B 298) pe ds, 298eiken ec os | 2,972 e 2,972 6165270! loose eset
SOD Eek eso ee teenies 12, 324 CLD S24 Weeceers rll 2,522 é 2,522 @: 14.846) ces oSeee
BOGE, = c= Actor realli areolar 24,517 eC: DAN OAT We ose eee | 6, 137 e 6,187 é 30)!654 ||. 2 aac
1897 23,2 seca sie eealseioe iste ee 16, 993 CMG 993i) eee 2,207 e 2,207 119) 200) |e a= sees
NOB a xs chooee ase Itsiavajeratesose etl ovate Mate minis eres| (SS cteieveceieteie, scollletete bine ellersteteersteretotsl| eyes meteteree J 1850825|P=-eeeeeee
FL SOO VES 2 ee cemee hums 7 coy geen Bi Kp alle areata ipa Pe aoe Odes Ms PPR Socal a Gg) 1730 |e eee
TOO Aa: Sacks ee Eeieee clefts h 17, 033 LOMB |aaososos h 5, O81 h 5,081 he 22014 | 25. eee
1 CS) 0) Reese eet Scllbuaeeotanc h 17, 960 RANG OGON eeereece h 5, 3381 h 5,331 Rh. 23,2918 eee eee
UQO2 2a = oa). tera IRBRAGOmUSE h 18, 872 RNB VS 72s Reeser | h 3,476 h 3,476 | hy 22) 348) || eee
WOVS 2 hscc- 2c see lsoooaaaeas h 17, 025 BATE O25 aceermietas h 3,101 he3101 ) 2 2205126)|2seeeeeeee
OO Arai eae hh sets | sta ae cre cele h 9, 988 vO OS Sse ce ae h 1,736 h 1,786 h 11, 724 i 2,054
OOD Sees seek, Ihctecapsraie'o hers J 13,706 UAB HAUG eeaesos J 1,482 Jj 1,482 J 15, 188 k 2,174
WOO Giese essere see eexe | eal J 11,186 Ab IRS) | Sooo ae | J 1,700 J 1,700 Jj 12,886 2, 238
Potale--s-- | 108, 803 1, 946, 445 2,508, 414 | 29, 168 367, 771 518,596 | 5,055, 666 40, 413

aSee footnote f on page 34.

b Report of British Commissioners, Fur-Seal Arbitration, reprint 1895, vol. 6, page 194. These fig-
ures agree with those stated in Elliott’s Monograph, ‘‘Seal and Salmon Fisheries,” part 8, page 115,
except for the years 1861 and 1862, for each of which Elliott gives 20,000, and the year 1867, for which
Elliott gives 48,000. The authority of the British commissioners for the latter year is ‘‘Allen’s North
American Pinnipeds,’’ page 398, which was based on a statement of Special Agent Bryant.

e **Seal and Salmon Fisheries,”’ vol. 2, pages 273-274.

ad ‘*Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’’ vol. 1, pages 272, 298.

e ‘“ Report Fur Seal Investigation Commission, 1896-97,” part 1, page 207.

f Owing to the death of Agent Murray the seals actually killed this year were not reported. The
number here given is the company’s quota actually shipped. See manuscript report.

g The number actually killed this year can not be gathered from Agent Morton’s report. The
number here given was extracted from a table sent by this Department to the State Department ina
letter dated January 14, 1905.

h Manuscript reports, Division of Seal Fisheries.

i Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, pages 8-9.

j Manuscript report. The number for 19065 is inclusive of food killings in the fall of 1905. The
number for 1906 is exclusive of food killings in the fall of 1906, which can not be ascertained until
the spring of 1907.

k Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, page 65.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERI#S,

30

TasLe 2.—PeELAGIc AND LAND CatcHrs FROM Pripitor Herp, REvENUE DERIVED
BY GOVERNMENT, AND AVERAGE PRICES OBTAINED FOR SKINS, FROM 1868, WHEN
THE PrRIBILOF ISLANDS CAME INTO THE POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES, TO

1906. J
Land eateh. Pelagie catch.
2 re Eri |
ean Skins shipped from Pribilof | Average | Catch Ber-| Average
; Islands. | Revenue to | price ob- ing Sea and] price of
= SS = ~ Government. tained for) Northwest] skins
| St. Paul. | St. George. Total. skins. Coast. sold.
WS6S eS etece ot aid astneluseianraaatece ec paes cee 242,000 | $242,000.00 |..-....... DiTAS367 ln i ate:
TSG OE ets ccs seeps iol ail eine oe pors(eiece ee Soars ate 87, 000 ST OOOS00) | Paaaciees Ova ARON ese
STORM Sanne eee COTO eae semeye secs 6,017 \@e101,080.C0 | Ff $5.4] ONSSGSG)|Ee he eee
DO Tiles Has ese see ¢ 76,1384) ©¢ 19,077 | 95, 211 | ¢ 322,863.38 | Ff 10.50 b 16,911 f $2.40
VSO Sa SAS SUS Se es oe ce 74,941 | c¢ 25,000 99,941 | e 307,181.12 if 115200) b 5,336 f 2.40
IS 7S Rees eae ane ¢e 74, 485 ¢ 25,000 99,485 | e 356,610.42 | Ff 13.00 BY O2A9 lle eects
SA ee Ps St e 89,924 | c¢ 10,000 99,924 | e 317,494.75 | Ff 13.10 | 6 5,873 Ff 8.50
ISTO eerRe oe seaees ¢ 89, 687 ¢ 10,000 99,687 | € 317,584.00 | f 12.75 | 6 5, 038 Ff 9.00
SAG MA SEE Grd Dy pds e 80,000 | = ¢ 10,900 90,000 | e 291, 155. 50 ft 8.75 b 5,515 f 5.25
a Sika elon crete ars ¢ 60,199 | ¢ 15,000 76,199 | @ 258, 255. 76 f 9.75 | nla OI) eee Me
US TSe cee aaece aves ¢ 82,(09 | ¢ 18,000 100,000 | e 317, 447.50 F 9.80 b 5,544 SF 8.62
OE gee epee eae see € 80,000 e 20, 000 100,000 | ¢ 317,400.25 | f 21.20 | b 8,557 Ff 13.00
HSSO 2. 238 332205. © 80, 000 © 20, 000 1€0, 000 |} ¢ 317,594.50 | f 22.25 b 8,718 F 14.00
ISS Vee Stel ees Ek = © 79,905 © 20, 000 99,905 | € 316,885.75 | f 19.7 b 10,382 Ff 7.80
USB eee a ecteuenene e 80,000 | © 20,000 100,000 | ¢ 317,295.25 | f 13.60 b 15,551 FJ 5.10
CCR he meas San tae e 60,000 > © 15,000 75,000 } e 251,875.00 | Ff 20.20 b 16,557 f 6.30
gC Se ec eae e€ 85,000 | «¢ 15,000 100,000 | e 317, 4(0.25 | f 12.75 b 16,971 tf 6.75
SSO se oss cates sea ces ec 84,995 | ¢ 15,000 99,995 | e 317,489.50 | Ff 14.20 b 23,040 tS 6.50
S886 eh5 soe eee ace e 85,000 | © 15,000 100,000 | e 817,452.75 | f 17.10 b 28, 494 Ft 7.00
BBs ce aspects © 85,000 € 15,000 | 100,000 | e 317,500.00 | f 14.00 b 30, 628 Veto)
BSG sere cakosaaee « 85,000 | ©¢ 15,000 100, 000 | € 317,500.00 | #f 19.50 b 26,189 Ff 7.80
SSO eases Sua eae oy e 85,000 © 15,000 100,000 | e 317,500.00 | # 17.00 b 29, 858 eb
SOO RE Sasa See Coe 9g 16,874 g 4,121 20,995 | e 214,673.88 | fF 36,50 b 40, 814 F 15.25
PSO eae eee Jae h 10,780 h 2,702 |; 7 18,482 | e 46,749.23 | # 30.00 b 59, 568 Ff 15.75
BO Dee Oe toys fecal j 4,996 J 25503 7,549 | e 23,972.60 | f 30.00 b 46, 642 Ff 17.00
10s1os ae Sere etme oy a ke 5,418 k 2,007 7,425 | e 96,159. 82 fF 27.00 b 30,812 Ff 12.50
eee Sees Ono REee U 12,969 ! 1 3,062 16,031 | e 163,916.97 | f 20.50 b 61, 888 f 8.75
iC PRS ea see aaa Eee m 12,500 m 2,500 | 15,000 | e 158,375.00 | f 20.25 b 56, 291 Sf 10.25
SOG melee esse yee n 23, 842 | n 6,158 30,000 | ¢ 306,750.00 | f 17.00 b 43,917 f 8.00
eS /Soeeoeme sooo ate 0 18, 400 0 2,366 20,766 | e 212,332.35 | f 15.50 b 24,321 St 6.50
BOB EAs Aree eee P 15,850 | p 2,182 | 18, 032 | e 184,377.20 | f 16.00 Tt 28,552 Ft 6.50
NS QO ER ae So) Le Ns oes Pp 14, 292 Pp 2,520 16,812 | * 224,476.47 | f 26.00 f 34,168 f 10.25
TSOOR See ae eee 9g 17,688 q 4,782 22,470 | @ 229, 755. 75 f 32.00 F 35, 191 Ff 16.00
ICD Ee Ces aaosoonene r 17,100 r 6,572 | 22,672 | & 231,821.20 | Ff 34.00 F 24,050 Tel 125
M902 Ss see assent r 19,082 | r 3,304 22,386 | e 286,133.40 | f 32.50] f 22,812 F 19.25
903 Fetes aba k io cttai r 16, 200 r 3,092 19,292 | ¢ 197,260.70 ; f 29.50} ff 27,000 F 18.50
ne aes See s 11,132 $ 1,996 13,128 | e 134,233.80 ¢t 37.00 | u 29,006 t 19.25
HOOD Ss eames one 5 v 13,000 v 1,368 14,368 |e 146,912.80 | ¢37.00| wu 25,320 t 27.35
TRUS Saaecauucereeee 12, 536 1, 940 LAE ATO ete HOUT OM eo ot Rela ol eee eee
Motales.ceece|> 14 765,.946 369,302 | 2,464, 248 | Ue esl te: Oris Bee ees ae | CYiUots) El 5 - Memes one
| |

a The stated number of skins shipped will not agree with the corresponding amount of revenue
derived, for the reason thatin former years the payments of revenue from seal skins were based
upon the count of skins by the collector of customs at San Francisco, which count varied each year,
slightly more or less, from the island count. In later years the island count has been accepted as
the basis for payment.

b** Report Fur-Seal Investigation Commission, 1896-97,’ Pt. I, p. 222.

e*Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’”’ vol. 1, pp. 261-262. This shows the number of skins on which the
annual divisions of natives’ earnings were based.

d Probably includes skins taken before the date of the lease to the Alaska Commercial Company
upon which a revenue of only $1 per skin was paid.

e Official records, Treasury Department.

f Pamphlet, ‘‘ Hearing before Ways and Means Committee, March 9 and 10, 1904,’’ p. 76.

9g ‘Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’ vol. 1, p. 258.

hk“ Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’’ yol. 1, p. 286.

i Of these, 1,231 were ‘‘stagey,’”’? and were made the subject of a special settlement.
Salmon Fisheries,’”’ vol. 1, p. 272.)

J‘ Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’’ vol. 1, pp. 349-351.

k ‘Seal and Salmon Fisheries,’ vol 1, p. 442.

1 “Seal and Salmon Fisheries,”’ vol. 1, p. 471.

m ‘*Seal and Salmon Fisheries,” vol. 1, p. 488.

nCrowley’s manuscript report.

o Murray’s manuscript report.

pP Morton’s manuscript report.

qa Judge’s manuscript report.

r Lembkey’s manuscript report.

sSenate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, pp. 33-51.

t Computed from catalogue of London trade sales.

uLampson & Co.’s catalogues, London sales of Northwest Coast seal skins for 1904 and 1905.

v Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, pp. 65-66.

(‘Seal and

36 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.
SIZE OF PRIBILOF ISLANDS HERD SINCE THEIR DISCOVERY IN 1786.

Precise data as to the size of the entire herd of seals on the Pribilof
Islands during the years preceding the American occupation is want-
ing. No computation of the number in the whole herd is known to
have been made. The only known factor of record during this period

is the annual yield of skins as contained in the statements of the num-
ber of skins annually shipped.

The yield of skins from bachelors bears a direct relation to the num-
ber of breeding cows, since if is the breeding herd that furnishes the
surplus males from which these skins are obtained. It can be under-
stood readily that the 3-year-old bachelors of to-day were the pups of
four summers ago, and that, from a knowledge of the number of
3-year-old skins in the present year’s catch a fairly approximate idea
can be obtained of the number of breeders four years ago—after
proper deductions for natural mortality.

Precise information, however, as to the character of the skins taken
by the Russians is not at hand. It is known that their catches of skins
in certain years were composed of gray pups as well as bachelor seals.
In vears preceding 1835, at least, they took females also. It was the
killing of the latter on land, together with other causes, such as an
unusual quantity of drift ice on the shores, deterring the gravid
females from landing, that is supposed to have ‘reduced the herd to the
low-water mark in 1835.

As no knowledge is had of the number of skins of any given class
in the Russian catches it is necessary in attempting to compute the
whole number of individuals in the herd in former years to proceed
upon a somewhat different hypothesis. It may be accepted as an axiom
that the Russians under ordinary circumstances took as many skins as
the herd would afford. There were, of course, certain years in which
killing was restricted, such as the few years succeeding 1835, and for
those “years the catch of bachelors would form no criterion of the whole
number. But in the main, accepting the annual catches as indicative
of the annual yield, this annual yield would offer a fair idea of the size
of the herd, provided some basis of estimation can be established.

To determine a relation between the catch and the entire herd we
would have to seek years in which counts of the whole herd have been
made and compare these counts with the catches of bachelors in those
years.

Complete censuses of the whole herd, based on anything like accu-
rate counts, were made only during the. years 1897, by Doctor Jordan,
and in 1904 and 1905, by Agent Lembkey. We are obliged to disre-

gard those based on acreage measurements made in 1872- “1874 and in
1890. by Mr. H. W. Elliott, since this method, in the light of subse-
quent investigation, is proven unreliable. The catch of bachelors and
the whole estimated number composing the herd in the years 1897,
1904, and 1905 follows:

| | Ratio of
voae | Bachelors| Whole | Bachelors | catch to
cane | killed. census. | released. whole
| | herd
DBO Sie to os.c, abies Sa diae= Soke aaiadae ae eis Serieines Sar ete | 20, 766 4021850) | see 1-20
GOA eee Bre Fae inline wai Sih tere tdeate ate eters eto rerere etameta erate mpm | 13, 128 243, 103 | 2,054 1-16
GOB a saccade bia sic aye seclnwss aie orajels Side wlaetere ate tele eel nie eaizioietaiavats 14, 868 223,009 | 2,174 1-14
| |

—

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. ae

In the census made by Doctor Jordan in 1897 the take of skins rep-
resents a ratio to the whole herd of about 1 to 20. In that made in
1904, by Agent Lembkey, the ratio of killables to the whole herd,
including the 2,054 bachelors branded and released, is 1 to 16, and in
1905, with a similar addition of the bachelors released that year, 1 to
14. In this way a relation is established between the catch and the
whole herd upon which a rough estimate may be made of the herd in
former years in which only the catch is known. While it was not
known until after this course of procedure had been adopted for the
purpose in hand, proper acknowledgment must be made of the fact
that this same method of estimation was used by Doctor Jordan in his
criticism of Elliott’s censuses of 1874 and 1890.

As can be seen, a variation exists between the ratios given above.
It must be determined, therefore, whether killing in 1897 was as close
as in the later years. Doctor Jordan states that in 1897 there were
turned away 15,000 animals too small to kill. (Fur-Seal Investiga-
tion Commission, pt. 1, p. 98.) These added to the 20,766 killed would
make a total of 35,766 animals driven. The number dismissed, there-
fore, was +1 per cent of the whole number driven.

In 1904, with 13,128 skins taken, there were 10,181 rejections of
small seals, or 44 per cent of the whole number driven. (S. Doe. 98,
59th Cong., Ist. sess., p. 13.) In 1905, 9,520 small! dismissals occurred
(including 3,499 from St. George), with a take of 14,368 skins, or dis-
missals of 40 per cent of the whole number driven. (Idem, p. 67.)

The percentage of animals killed in those three years is demonstrated
to have been practically the same, while the ratios of killed to the
whole herd vary from 1 to 20 in 1897 to 1 to 16 in 1904 and 1 to 14 in
1905. This variation must be caused by the differing methods of ap-
proximation of the whole herd. Doctor Jordan’s estimate of the herd
for 1897 is frankly stated to be a mere approximation and is made in
round numbers. Mr. Lembkey’s estimates for 1904 and 1905 are
stated also to be nothing more than careful approximations, but have
the advantage of treating with a greatly diminished herd which could
be more easily counted and, so far as relates to the bachelor seals,
were based on counts of those appearing in the drives which Doctor
Jordan did not make. Without any reflection on Doctor Jordan’s
work, therefore, it is believed that the adoption of the relation of the
catch of skins to the whole herd of 1 to 15—a mean of the ratios of
1904 and 1905—more nearly represents the actual ratio than 1 to 20.

The application of this rule will, of course, give a mere idea of the
size of the herd in former years and nothing more. Varying con-
ditions of the climate and of the market, differing policies of the
managers, and other now unknown factors all contribute to vitiate the
accuracy of such a computation. It will, however, give an idea, more
oF less inexact, of the size of the herd, and this is all that is claimed

or it.

38 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

TABLE 3.—TAKE OF SKINS AND APPROXIMATE S1zb oF SEAL HeErps, 1786-1906.

{ { |

Approxi- |

| mene nell) Approxi-|| Wea en -- op | Approxi-
Year. Take of mate size | Year. Takeiot mate size || Year. uare of mate size
sens 4 comherd. || 8. | of herd. || S- | of herd.
: : —-|—-——_|'— PERE Cal = | 2A tS SDES TEES
ASO at o!yo/<te | 87,978 | 2,500,000 || 1828........ 23, 228 048, 420 1870. seen ae 23, laille ss scene te
1737 / SENAY lest lel ls cose 18290 aise 20, 811 312,165 || 1871........ 1025-960) | ie Bec cree
NGSS. eas Seles SALOMON seer cak oe LS30 eS eeeeee | 18, 034 ZO SOLOM NL Siee eee LOSH819) | Maes aeeeee
TOE tots tare SMOSH cma oeee By) eco U Se eh Ae 16, 034 240;'510) ||| 1873.22. 2242 SHI Nees sae oc
LOO oes ct otelats I ip Bs| Beaeeseeor 1882 Sra 16,446 | 246,690 || 1874........ DLO BSB ales teteisjee<i=\=
LOD cs each | SUT Veiscicdrecroce ItSRE eeesecoe G42 24650805) 87h tss.ase2 106;460))|Seecee ane
(92 ese 1) PPOCROTSN oe aa as outs USS4 oc a sm ices 15,751 | 236,265 || 18762... .<.- 94 OD Hi seers. cer
9S: Seocree ho eA Res eee ae IRE oes 6, 580 D227 OO ||| Lites 8440 |b eee eeeee
W194 too BK I WEY CTE seems oe US3G6252 525 6, 590 | 21D S100) || PL STS Aaa cle 109s S23 alee eee
TID yan eee ae | SH WB) Wace oye IC BYiSeeeaooe 6, 802 207,030 || 1879........ TOS OU | Sesser
WIGS = Saco | 37,978 | 2,000,000 |) 1838.......- 6, 000 (0) S80 es -ciaece LOD V/LSs| Peeeeeeeee
WGI SS oe | 42,244 | (a) | OksB Ye seas 6, 000 (0) Wel SS lee setae 1105; 0639 |e aseeeeee
TUR aereoeae | 42,944] (a) | WMO) ec cooe 8, 000 (d) Il TES bodes 99, 812 | 2, 000, 000
EAS Ree oes 42, 244 (a) | pel SG ailbas Bree ees 8, 000 (db) IGE Re Saenoss WOTOOON |: ae aeceee
1800eee. ses 42,244 (a) S42 siscck tafe 10, 370 | (b) [| 1884 ee 105;4345| cece eee
TU, sy coe 42,244 (a) \aigaei ee 11, 240 (b) || 1885........] 105,024 | 1,500, 000
42,244 (a) WSG44 ees 11, 924 (6) (ll TSSGuereosce HOA GON bobs esac
42, 244 (a) [R845 Seema 13, 637 (0) IBEW cababee 0537608 | peeeemenee
42, 244 (a) Val S468 a IG ere 15, 070 (b) Ite telsise agboae ) LOSS S045) a acer
42,244 (a) ah ese oe 17, 703 | b) 1889 Bese .oe (eal O2%61 r/o
42, 244 (a) | M8483 c aclecre 14, 650 (b) TS90 Re eer | 28, 059 | 900, 000
SOMES x. ete 42, 244 (a) W840) Sey yee 21, 450 (0) 891 eae 12: 040) los aseeeeee
Ie eSione 42,244 | (a) Iss SeSeeo. 6, 770 (b) pie eee Base TDi 4| pee aoe
TSOQES=2 25! 42, 244 (a) | 1851 6, 564 (b) 1gg5s ee 73968 aaae eect
IGT sao oaee 42,244 (a) 6, 729 (b) WLS rears a care 16; 2700). stra sees
DSi eee eee 42,244] (a) 18, 035 (b) SE SO Reet 145846) |Raes eeeee
Ie OB aooetse 42, 244 | («ty 26, 146 (L Wel SG aes ae 30, 654 489,810
Ie esse: ee 42,244 (a) 8, 585 (0) Wel SSiiceeere soe | 19, 200 402, 850
1giaeeer eee 42,244 | («") 23,550 (0) ese Ss eeaeen | 18,082] 350,000
SLO steels 42, 244 (a) 21, 082 (b (SOO ee letetets 17,189 350, 000
STG 2a eeee ae 42,254 | 1,000, 000 31,810 (b) S002 oases ee Ce eae
135 lyfe eee 60, 188 902,820 || 22, 000 (0) (lS OI sselseece 2359915 | eee
PSUS esate a 59,856 | 897,840 | 21,590 (b) LQ0DE Se-eee I, 22 S48 ce <a
thet Roe ae ae es 52, 224 783.360 29, 699 (0 (LOOSE eaceterse Q2OSA2ZG4| ease meee
820 BS sees. 50, 220) 795, 300 | 34, 294 | (0) Hel OOde ss eaccr~ U1, 724 243, 103
IPA eo OSes 14, 995 674, 925 || 25, 000 (D) lOO Seree sae ree 138 228, 009
NB222e eee | 36, 469 587, 535 || 26, 000 | (b i) LOOGSSeceee 12, 886 185, 000
| 29,873 | 588,095 || 40,000 (b | an ues
25, 400 418,500 || 42, 000 (>) | Totals .|5 40555 666) |\Seeceeeeee
30, 100 451,500 | 75, 000 ||
23, 250 409,750 | 242,000 7-2, 000, 000
19, 700 855, 500 | 87, 000
| 1]
aGradual decrease. b Gradual increase.

ANALYSIS OF TABLE.

The figures of the yearly catches are taken from Table 1.

The catch of skins for 1786 to 1796 represents a yearly average of
the total catch (417,758) given for that period. The application of the
ratio of 1 to 15 for these years (1786 to 1796) gives a total herd of only
189,890. This, of course, is simply absurd. The ratio, at best, is
merely an estimate, and the catch stated for these years represents
but a fraction of the seals killed. From a knowledge of all the facts,
it is believed that the herd, on the discover y of the islands, embraced
at least 2,500,000 animals, and this number is adopted ar bitrarily as its
measure during the first years. It is also as arbitrarily reduced to
9,000,000 in the year 1796. as it. is believed that at least that reduction
occurred.

The total catch recorded for the twenty years from 1797 to 1816,
both inclusive, is 844,890, an average yearly catch of 42,244. At1 to
15 this would show the whole herd to have been 667,005. From the
recognized incompleteness of the figures showing the catch, we may
assume that the herd was reduced to approximately 1,000, 000 animals.

In 1817 occurs the first exact figures of the catch for any one year,
given by Veniaminof. The applic: ition of the ratio of 1 to 15 gives
the total stated for this and the sue ceeding years to 1821.

In 1822, 2,700 young seals were “reserved for breeding.” They
have been added to the catch in computing the total yield.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 39

In 1823, 6,000 young seals were ‘‘reserved for breeding,” and have
been added in computing the total yield.

In 1824, 2,500 young seals were *‘ reserved for breeding,” ana have
been added i in computing the total yield.

An apparent increase is shown in 1825. This is undoubtedly due
solely to the ar bitrary method of computation. It means no increase
in the herd, but increased activity in taking seals. They probably
killed, in this year, some of the seals reserved the preceding three years.
The killing in 1826 to 1828 probably represents the normal yield of
the herd and reduces the whole number materially from 1825.

The period between 1829 and 1834 shows a steady decrease. The
apparent fluctuation during this time is the result of more or less close
killing,

We have in 1834 a measure of the herd previous to the year 1835,
when the lowest number is said to have been reached, and when the
famous ‘* Zapooski” was put into effect. It is more probable that the
preservative measures in 1835 were adopted as the result of the scarcity
of seals observed in 1834. Our methods of computation can construct,
at the best, only a series of systematic guesses, but enough of the ele-
ments of accuracy are involved to demonstrate that the herd was not
any nearer (if as near) annihilation in 1834 than it is at present.

In 1835, while they took only 6,580 seals, of which, according to
i eniaminof’s table, the greater number were gray pups, they also

“reserved for breeding” 8,000 seals. As stringent regulations were
adopted this year against the killing of females (Veniaminof) to insure
the increase in the herd it 1s not to be believed that these seals reserved
for breeders were females, as they would be reserved in any event as
a matter of course. They undoubtedly were young killable bachelors,
and have been added to the catch to form a basis for computation.

In 1836, while 6,590 skins were secured, 7,750 seals were reserved
for breeding.

In 1837, 6.802 skins were secured and 7,000 seals reserved for breed-
ing. The catches for the years 1838 to 1841 are approximations taken
from the table prepared by H. H. McIntyre. No attempt is made to
compute therefrom the w hole herd. From 1838 to 1867, owing to the
restrictive measures exenosed by the Russian managers, no correct
idea of the actual yield can be had. We know from Veniaminof that
the killing in each year after 1835 was of such moderate nature as to
insure a surplus for breeding and an increase in the herd. A scrutiny
of the catches during this period would show that the yearly quotas
were arbitrarily increased or lowered without regard to the number
that could be taken under normal conditions. For this reason an
estimate of the herd at a ratio of 1 to 15, based on the annual yields,
would be wholly misleading. We can see, however, by the gradually
increasing catches, that the herd itself was undergoing a steady aug-
mentation. This is shown by the fact that in the year 1864 the mana-
ger on St. Paul was instructed by the chief manager at Sitka to
increase that island’s annual catch to 70,000. (Appendix to Case of
the United States Fur-Seal Arbitration, No. 31, p. 89.) No authentic
record of the catch for that vear exists, the estimate made by Elliott
showing only 26,000 skins for both islands.

The year 1867 is the last year of the RES management. The
two succeeding years—1868 and 1869- the so-called “ inter-
regnum,” or the period between the = SRGcnBEenent of the territory by
the Russians and the establishment of a lessee on the seal islands. In

40 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

the last year of their tenure.the Russians took 75,000 skins. (Allen-
North American Pinnipeds. ) During the two years of the interreg
num the Americans took 242,000 and 87,000 skins, respectively. By
averaging the catch of these three years, a fair idea of the normal
catch ‘might be obtained. By this method the yearly catch would
average 135,000, and, at 1 to 15, would represent 2,025,000 animals in
the whole herd, which isa fair estimate of its volume at the time of the
granting of the first lease to the Alaska Commercial Company, in 1870.

From 1870 to 1884 it is admitted generally that the herd suffered
no apparent decrease, and it is claimed by some that an actual increase
occurred. It is a well-known fact that prior to 1885 the herd would
have yielded more skins than the 100,000 allowed annually by law.
This can be seen by the early dates on which the annual quotas were
secured during these years. An approximation based on a catch of
100,000 at 1 to 15 would show the herd to be, only 1,500,000, but the
increased number which could have been taken, had sealing been car-
ried on to the end of the season, indicates that the herd was greater
than this approximation of the catch would show. In 1885 the quota
was not secured until July 27, whereas, on the previous year it was
obtained on July 21. This would indicate, roughly, that a marked
decrease had occurred in the breeding herd three summers previously,
or in 1882, the year in which the 3-year-olds of 1885 were born. This
is substantiated to a degree by the fact that in 1882 the pelagic catch
increased from 10,000 to 15,000, and that by 1885 it had reached 23,000,
mostly females. From a consideration of all the facts, it must be
believed that the herd suffered its first marked reverse leading to its
diminution in 1882. We feel safe in placing the number in the herd
in 1882, before the diminution occurred, at 2,000,000.

In 1885, in addition to carrying on sealing for six days longer than
usual, there is reason to believe that, on St. “George at least, they low-
ered the size of skins taken. This is based on the fact that on that
island three killings occurred in 1885 where the number taken in each
killing was over 2,000 skins—a limit reached but twice previously in
the history of that island (June 25, 1876, and July 6, 1877). The num-
ber of skins taken during this: added week of sealing, on St. Paul alone,
indicates an approximate loss in the breeding herd of over 250,000.
We may safely say that by 1885 the herd had shrunk to 1.500, 000.

During the years 1886 to 1889, both inclusive (the last four years of
the Alaska Commercial Company’s lease), the annual quotas of 100,000
were secured only by prolonging the killing and taking smaller skins
than usual. In the last vear (1889) killing on Me Paul was carried on
until July 31 (Seal and Salmon F eget vol. 2, p. 268), and included
all classes of skins down to 43 pounds. (Report British Bering Sea
Commission, pars. 830-831, vol. 6; Report Paris Arbitration, p. 204.)
The fact of this unusually close killing leaves us no ground on which
to compute the actual size of the herd during those years. It is safe
to infer, however, that this unwonted activ ity necessary to secure the
annual quote of 100,000 indicates a lar ge falling off in the herd.

In 1890, the first year of the new lease, killing was stopped on July
20 by order of the Government agent (Seal and Salmon Fisheries,
vol. 1, p. 233) after the taking of 28,059 skins. While not officially
of ey it is known that the lessee in 1890 confined killing to
3-year-olds. This is substantiated by the fact that the skins of 1890
sold for $36.50 each (average), while in 1889, owing to the presence of
small skins in the catch, they brought on an average only $17 each.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 4]

Had killing in 1890 been continued until the end of the season, and
had it been as rigorous as it had been during the preceding four years,
it is more than probable that the quota of 60,000 would have been
taken. Assuming that 60,000 could have been taken, the aggregate
herd at 1 to 15 would have been 900,000. Mr. Elliott's estimate of
the herd in 1890, on an acreage basis, was 959,393 ‘‘ breeding seals and
young, without any estimate of nonbreeders.’

The restrictions imposed on killing by the modus vivendi in 1891 to
1893 and by the regulations of the Department in 1894 and 1895
reduced the catches of those years to a number considerably below
the annual yield, and leave us no basis on which to form an estimate
of the whole herd.

In 1896 the quota was increased by the Department to 30,000, and
30,654 skins were taken. This is probably a fair measure of the yield
of the herd at that time. At the ratio of 1 to 15, the whole herd
would have been 489,810.

In 1897 a complete census of the whole herd was made by Doctor
Jordan, showing a total of 402,850 lives. The catch of that year was
192200; which at-1' to 15 would show only 288,000 in the herd, but,
in deference to Doctor Jordan, his figures are given.

In 1898 and 1899, although t the quota allowed each year by the
Department was 30,000, only 18,032 and 17,189 skins, respectively,
of the grade then taken were secured. In. those years they took
nothing less than a 6-pound skin. At 1 to 15, this would show the
whole herd to have been 270,480 and 257,885. The 1 to 15 ratio,
however, was formed on the basis of a 53- ed minimum weight of
skin, and would hardly be applicable to the catches of years in which
such small skins were not taken. A conservative estimate would fix
the whole number of seals in those years at 350,000.

During the years 1900 to 1903 the lessee lowered the standard of
skins taken so as to include all 2-year-old skins. Skins as low even as
4+ pounds were taken. Under these circumstances it is impossible to
estimate the number in the herd by the method heretofore adopted.

In 1904, 1905, and 1906 the censuses made by Agent Lembkey are
given,

TaBLE 4.—ANNUAL QuoTAs ALLOWED LESSEE OF SEAL ISLANDS, AND Skins SHIPPED
acc Geta 1870-1906. @

a Quota allow ed.b Skins I ve | Quota allowed.b Skins
‘Minimum. | |Maximum. shipped. Ae: | Minimum. | Me 1ximum.|. Shipped.

SOS etie oid | aiecamnesoanas 100, 000 GON 7all S90 see ee rae eases eee | “60, 000 20, 995
1S eee lejeathacmoneae 100, 000 Boy 2N ||) L8OT eee = - e [Sees foes | 60, 000 18, 482
MOO occ. leceiagies = 2 | 100, 000 99,941 |] 1892....2 2222. peerees eee | 7, 500 7, 549
WANS meee cee wallsccacsn aaa 100, 000 QORAR Sill SOBs oes laiciete a lei| Kiacateta a amrotere re 7,500 7,425
IGA Sear tol See eres | 100, 000 OOM ODA MS 94 nice eee. 7,500 | 20, 000 16, 031
UB Eyaiars ce sterclllS ere Sear 100, 000 O9N687 ||| 18952 sooo... 7, 500 15, 000 15, 000
MSG) See ae Aes alll sacee cee clot 100, 000 2» GOROOON WSOC S Sesisctee |siisicrctea es ose 30, 000 30, 000
CY (eS es PE Ee eee eee 100, 000 Or! W897ees ec ccee | 15, 000 20, 000 20, 766
1S 78 Sansa |Poseeenesane | 100, 000 100, 000 |} 1898.......... 25, 000 30, 000 18, 0382
1 ee eee ae [bs oe eee || 100, 000 LOOSE OOOH | ALS99 Sear a= 25, 000 30, 000 16, 812
SSO eek cre ces eluates | 100, 000 100, 000 |) 1900.......... 25, 000 30, 000 22,470
UBB Ie. eicfaisseeilles Gemmed one 100, 000 99,905 || 1901.......... 25,000 | 30, 000 | 22, 672
S82). ol See © alls eerste are | 100, 000 100, 000 |} 1902..... aietsiels 25, 000 | 30, 000 | 22, 386
NSS cise e ers | Geeertereree toe 100, 000 TELCO ROR IS So Ree 25, 000 | 30, 000 | 19, 292
NBR 4. ste c/ctinciee lene aceen aes | 100, 000 TOOROOOM | PUG 04 eer aco Soeieclzjsecte eve, we 15, 000 | 18, 128
USB re aterm ole falafel rs hates cic | 100, 000 QO OOH LOO Accs ores eect 15, 000 | 14, 368
WESC sco sucet semaines | 100, 000 100, 000 | MOUG2 2c se niste |aiesis aecnacee 15, 000 14, 476
WBS 72 eos so alsodewaiien sae | 100, 000 100, 000 || ——_——

SSS ee oe See lsceceksaces 100, 000 100, 000 |) Totals Si Aeessace seis | aera stecierstos ies 2, 135, 248
TEES ea ay ean 100, 000 100, 000 0 |

aThe quotas have been obtained from the manuse ript records of the Treasury Department and the
Department of Commerce and Labor. The statement of skins shipped is taken from Table 2.

bFrom 1870 to 1889 the quota was fixed at 100,000 per annum by section 1962, Revised Statutes
(amended by act March 24, 1874, 1 Supp. R. §., p. 6).

4? REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

TaBLe 5.— RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF
THE FuR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA.

| Receipts SD ERSCK:
= | from anamcis
Year. royalties on | eplenlesauy Supplies to | Miscella-
sealskins. : aeents natives. neous, 4
TSGS soe rehie ee ere tajerore e's: 2\e-4/s ayo excleais pate eae Se tela ae $242) 000: 00)| scetceciseietacellacce-ceseeteee
T8690 epee etnias tetas Sea iec os ee eee OSCE nee STO0OHOOS |e ceccieersetcreiaa lls soir toe eee
TB ROP cso iaco te teepc sic a onnin'n io soos ote a sees ae ole LOL OSONOOM Eee see acme kere celseceies
NS Taare Sane wie teal a Scot mes ents ae aes B22) SOSA5S. | ajotars a2 arose einj=/a| tarsisissioetee aoe
LOT 2 Prec kanicice che cwisciae oe senmececen eee as clsteneee SOM USL TAN J a cialsrstetcreretelen| se eioters cetera
NB US sey jerrce 2)=fareaps ed a atl atspots amie A sisiemataraesis isle mere eae SOGOU O AD ge aie ore sei eta ere) ae enlaces eee
LSTA see crais.Seiee eiciscace pie citbemteisen bin ewiaees Creer BL AOA OW ec cei ciseeeecine| sate see cre aces |
WT OSe sietere di sissinicinsainstte = Sale semiem teccjemiacten acon SUT D845 00) eee ae Re Sees esiaer nase
UB RG yep iosccisisisjoie claleie’e ecislsiod cle isis eines aoeeaee ee 291, 155. 50 BZD 208M |e cccicacceeresiee
US iiliets ok wees sis clsicin.cs Seeks ene ae Se nae Cee E Oe oats 253, 255. 75 85080549 oj. csrms cece
SAS yn secart ae oe lab eee chee ctaiaprar ees oe es (eyeeietee 317, 447. 50 LONS925 DOM Se easier ese
SRO cis ccins se tieleins eee Cree eine oo ieee eee 317, 400. 25 stole fish) |baaanemeooacse
ISSO eekicsss Sse cohewee se jae sete gee saree 317, 594. 50 QUBTAR OQ Rsk etiercjeneeees
MS BM Sa scigic cise eel saeiienet amie et eis eis as bin eiee eee 316, 885. 75 42484090 ceeomecisimcee=
Ths Bietejee caicicme celee cineieieceeiniesiee ss bneeeOneee nae 817, 295. 25 LSS 2632 000 Pesos cece
OB Re aE CR ER OOOT OMEN aAaanabicca: SESS creauoS 251, 875. 00 UR OSOR SDM fasiirsete eet
TTT te ole Pea A a ORR GC 317,400.25 | 13,811.64 |...-...--..-.. aT ee 0
NSSO rss 24 Jb He 2s Reser tevsie moe cele ayerncinia oasis mercies 318, 489. 50 | 13. M0260 |esase. oss 41 641.04
ASS 602 Foe cccias tema cons cise cioaeeee ta eae eee 317, 452. 75 Ty QBT6AD! Ia ses see apes e15 164.34
LBS TORS oe ce ee eran aaa osc Dice SEE Ee 317, 500. 00 | NG 74 Sy eee sSeyesicete f 41. 000. 31
WSSS aoa crats sages So Sete te rarer eiere rota ciotae le yore meatless 317, 500. 00 LOM VGA Di Sess Seca j a 784. 51
BBO ay ersttes afore cre rete els Gai s Slaroosel at adie eee EAE SEE 317, 500. 00 | VSS O27 LOM eee eee h4A83 849. 65
USOOs sis seotebee ee ne es claces oda See ae eee ee eee ; 214, 673. 88 | LO WAT TL Wem stm asaceer i’ 790. 00
TSO sfc id ecctemane/aisicinscislecia See see ete ee saree Gola 46, 749. 23 | 155396. 85leseeae cece cere | .
| Cott PREG 5 Oo Oe nopicec ee nooTSAer oe | 23, 972. 60 NGAO TM S88e ees coe eee |
BOS rare a crap aetcleraiota aise ie ee ei meieeia Soe | 96, 159. 82 11, 168. 27 $11, 337. 32
BOS, sos ersjs. oe epsetecesidee aie nit cthe totes eee ecreeeace setae | 163,916. 97 0, 953. 09 18, 319. 44
WS OOS iS. c Seeetepelttovea arate slates am stntoratensiatate a te Ste ores | 153, 375. 00 10, 308. 38 25, 563. 21 |
VS 9G ia, -.a:: uct Petreietays: «sats, cateinpee besitos ee cee 306, 750.00 | 11, 288. 77 14, 903. 92 |
WSO aac Soko Peete aac esa eee oelemorese oe ciete | 212,382.35 | 9, 591.50 15, 005. 00 |
SOB eosin ether eevee sree aides tie ee eyo aioe ees 184, 377. 20 | 14, 115. 92 26,372. 56 |
T8990 cs, 5. a papajatalejaratotets mraiere lorcet wie meres Sees lees seas 224, 476, 47 14, 841.58 17, 930. 94
OOO Rissa asciheeh Sera aret racine Aa caee Fa Soe cays else's 229, 755. 75 11, 473. 41 19, 100. 38
MOO Mi ssats, PEG he fettas euaicys uajeie aceite savers el evenue ciameie emcee | e2oles2ie 20) 5, 336. 26 14, 950. 47
NO ODP = Be RN eee eee te eyes Be eyeisee oie eterere sarees | 286,183.40 | 15, 719. 95 22, 446. 20 |
GO) ars Sct acre Ne eter sraroh cla por tata feet ee estes ee oe | 197,260.70. | 10, 502.45 | 19, 586.20 |
DOO ARR Sete e en tae trys setake pai Se Ce SGI SIE Poet ee | 134,233.80 10, 068. 26 | 15, 384. 45
WOO is eaths.s SO eto wate a artasisae wekis anand cate | 146,912.80 7,418.75 | 18, 651. 40
QO Gwe payecaptctahepsictaral exec casos ote ee orcieie assert eee Bee | 148,017.10 | J 11,950.00 | J 19,500. 00
TO tells ee ese dae ee ep Seaweeds | 9,311,054.77 | 349,464.88 | 254,051.49 | 549,499.16

a There were, in addition, $183,808.62 expended in 1878 to 1888 for ‘‘ Protection of sea otter and seal
fisheries,” and $20,940.68 for ‘‘ Protection of seal and salmon fisheries’? in 1892 to 1901. As the latter
was expended for salmon fisheries protection entirely, and as the former, while its purpose is now
unknown, had little or nothing to do with the seal islands, they are not included in the column of
miscellaneous expenses.

b Expense of inspectors of pelagic sealskins, 1895-96.

ec Buildings, seal islands, 1872.

d Proposals, lease seal islands, 1891.

e Statistics relative to fur-seal industry, 1891-1894.

f Seientifie investigations of fur-seal fisheries, 1898--99.

9g Collecting information respecting fur trade, 1875.

h Bering Sea awards and commission, 1898-99.

~Coal houses, seal islands, 1896.

J Estimated.

*

APPEND BB:

PROBABLE INCREASE OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD IN
CASE THERE BE A TOTAL CESSATION OF PELAGIC
SEALING AND A RATIONAL LAND KILLING.

COMPUTATION BY

WALTER I. LEMBKEY,
Chief Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries.

43

2

on, Gam uictaatin

(ASD asain
Ae ei

aa ;
7 ioa4

AA OIE

PROBABLE INCREASE OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD IN CASE
THERE BE A TOTAL CESSATION OF PELAGIC SEALING AND A
RATIONAL LAND KILLING.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR,
ALASKAN Fur-SHAL FISHERIES,
Washington, April 23, 1906.

Sir: I have respectfully to state that I have been requested orally
to make a computation of the number of fur seals that would be present
on the Pribilof Islands during the next few years, provided a total
‘cessation of pelagic sealing were accomplished; also the number of
skins that might, under safe management, be'taken therefrom for
commercial purposes after an ample provision of young males had
been made for breeders.

In compliance with this request I have prepared a series of calcula-
tions designed to show the effect of a cessation of pelagic sealing on
all classes of animals composing the herd from the present time to
1915, and the number of bulls required during that time at a normal
ratio to serve the cows.

These calculations are in the form of tables, and consist of the
following:

Table 1. Number of females present in 1905 and prospective number each year
from 1906 to 1915.

Table 2. Number of cows to be supplied with bulls each year during this period.

Table 3. Number of bulls necessary each year to supply these cows, at an esti-
mated normal ratio of 1 to 30.

Table 4. Number of bulls which would be present each year should no land kill-
ing be allowed.

Table 5. Number of bulls present each year, while allowing a rational land killing
of bachelors.

ONLY AN ESTIMATE.

Before entering into details I desire to emphasize the fact that these
tables are mere estimates, and are submitted as such and nothing more.
Prognostications of future events are guesses at best, and are always
subject to revision in the light of unforeseen conditions. In the case
of the fur seals—animals absent in the vastness of the ocean for halt
the year, exposed to unknown enemies and unascertained conditions—
it is next to impossible to gather enough knowledge of their surround-
ings during their period of migration to arrive at a correct estimate
of their increase or diminution. It is possible only to take such facts
as have been ascertained by experience to have application while these
animals are on land, and from these to construct an estimate as to their
increase, or the contrary.

45

46 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

DEATH RATE.

What the death rate among seals really is, under normal conditions,
is not known. We oe what the decrease in seal life has heen for
years past under the combined influences of sea killing and natural
mortality, but it is obviously not susceptible of ascertainment what
the death rate would have been with no pelagic sealing and had the
animals been exposed only to those influences which would prey upon
them in an absolute state of nature.

By analogy we know that the death rate in large cities in the United
States among human beings is in the neighborhood of 2 per cent. "We
know also that among’ seals the death rate must be greater, as their
struggle for existence is much more severe, and as they are exposed
to the full force of natural conditions not met with by civilized man.
We know, further, by the recuperation of the seal herd on the Prib-
ilofs after 1835, and by the history of seal life on Robben Island, the
Galapagos Islands, the islands near Cape Horn, and in other loc: ilities,
that if seals are le ft undisturbed by man they will increase rapidly
until they reach the point of natural equilibrium. From all this
we must conclude that the normal death rate is far below the rate of

natural increase. ‘The exact measure of that rate, however, remains
undetermined.

For the purpose of compiling these tables, an arbitrary death rate of
10 per cent has been adopted for all seals above the class of new-born
pups. While it is assured that the death rate among certain classes,
notabiy adult bulls, must be ereater than that among the young and
vigorous bachelors and half bulls, yet it would be manifestly impos-
sible, in an effort of this kind, to differentiate between the various
rates of death in the several classes. An average annual death rate of
10 per cent among seals 1 year of age and over has therefore been
adopted, in the be lief that it represents a fair average and is yet con-
servative enough to relieve the following estimates of any charge that
they are in error in allowing a greater increase than might rationally
be expected.

DEATH RATE AMONG PUPS.

As the result of observations on the islands during a number of
years, it is believed that a much greater mortality occurs among new-
born pups during their first migration from the islands than among all
other classes of seals. This is due to their extreme youth, their imma-
turity and lack of previous experience, and their inability at first to
seek food in the water. A death rate of 50 per cent among this class,
from the time they leave the islands as gray pups until they return the
following year as ‘‘ yearlings,” has been allowed by students of the
question, and has, accordingly, been used in these computations.

BREEDING FEMALES MEASURE THE INCREASE.

The number of breeding females in the herd measures its producing
capacity. Their increase, therefore, is the most important factor in
the replenishing of the rookeries. Heretofore they have been preyed
upon by pelagic sealers as well as by their natural enemies, and their
destruction, together with that of their young, by these agencies has
resulted in the gradual lessening of the herd to its present attenuated

REPORT ON TH ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. AT

form. <A complete stoppage of deep-sea killing will relieve the females
of their most potent enemy, and an increase in the herd will of
necessity occur. In view of their importance, the matter of the
increase of the females has been dealt with first.

BASIS OF COMPUTATION.

The basis of computation is the number of females ascertained, by
the best methods obtainable, to be present on the islands in 1905.

It must be observed that the female fur seal begins to breed in her
second year, and annually thereafter brings forth one pup. As a
barren female is a great rarity on the islands, it is conceded that
practically all females above the age of 2 years bear young.

Table 1, therefore, is constructed on the hy potheses that a 10 per
cent death rate per annum occurs among females i year old or over;
that all females above 2 vears old produce one young annually; that
these young are evenly divided as regards sex, and that a mortality of
50 per cent among these young occurs during their first migration.

NUMBER OF FEMALES IN 1906.

In 1905 there were found to be on the islands approximately 78,000
adult breeding cows, 14,000 2-year-old (virgin) cows, 18,000 yearling
cows, and 39,000 new-born female pups.

Should pelagic sealing be abolished these animals would appear in
1906 with a loss of 50 per cent among the pups and a 10 per cent loss
anong the other classes. The 2-year-old cows, having been impreg-
nated in 1905 for the first time, would have their first pups in 1906
and be then classed among the breeders.

To determine the number of breeding females in 1906, therefore,
the 78,000 adult cows and the 14,000 2-year-old cows of 1905 are added
together and a 10 per cent reduction made for mortality from natural
causes. This computation gives us 82,800 breeding females for 1906.
The 18,000 yearling cows of 1905, after allowing a 10 per cent mor-
tality, would return to the islands in 1906 as 2-year-olds to the number
of 16,200. The 39,000 female pups of 1905, after suffering a 50 per
cent mortality in their first migration, would furnish 19,500 yearling
females in 1906. As there are 82,800 breeding females in 1906, there
would also be the same number of pups, of ‘which 41 400 would be
females.

NUMBER OF FEMALES, 1907 To 1915.

In 1907 the 82,800 adult females of 1906 added to the 16,200 2-year-
old cows of that. year would, with a 10 per cent mortality, give 89,100
adult cows in 1907. The 19, 500 yearling cows of 1906, suffering a 10
per cent mortality, would give 17,550 2-year-old cows in 1907. The
41,400 female pups, after withstanding a mortality of 50 per cent,
would give 20,700 yearling cows for 1907. In the year 1907 44,550
female pups would be born.

In 1908, by the same methods of computation, allowing the same
deductions for mori there would exist 95,985 adult cows, 18,630

2-year-old cows, 22,275 yearling cows, and 47,992 female pups.

In 1909 there would be present 103,154 adult cows, 20,048 2-year-
old cows, 23,996 yearling cows, and 51. ,o77 female pups.

48 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

In 1910 there would be present 110,882 adult cows, 21,596 2-year-
old cows, 25,788 yearling cows, and 55,441 female pups.

In 1911 there would be 119,231 adult cows, 23,210 2-year-old cows,
27,720 yearling cows, and 59,615 female pups. P

ih 1912 there would be 128,197 adult cows, 24,948 2-year-old cows,
29,807 yearling cows, and 64,098 female pups.

In 1913 there would be 137,831 adult cows, 26,827 2-year-old cows,
32,049 yearling cows, and 68,915 female pups.

In 1914 there would be 148, 193 adult cows, 28,845 2-year-old cows,
34,457 yearling cows, and 74,096 female pups.

In 1915 there would be 159,335 adult cows, 31,012 2- year-old cows,
37,048 yearling cows, and 79,667 female pups.

By the use of this method it can be seen that the breeding females,
when suffering only from mortality from natural causes, will increase
in the ten years covered by the period from 1905 to 1915 from 78,000
to 159,335, a gain of over 1006 per cent. Indeed, having in mind the
experience of “the seals on Robben Island, where, after practical exter-
mination in 1853-54, they are stated to have repleted their breeding
grounds by 1869, during a period of only fourteen years of complete
rest (Stejneger, Report Fur-Seal Investigation Commission, pt. 4,
p. 73), it is believed that the for egoing estimate is too conser vative to
show the actual increase that would occur on the cessation of pelagic
sealing. By erring in this matter, however, on the ground of too
great conservatism, we at least make sure of the iner ease here claimed.

The number of females to be supplied with bulls in any given year
consists of the adult females, as well as the virgin or 2-year-old cows
coming on the rookeries for their initial impregnation. Using the com-
putations in Table 1 (p. 58) asa basis, the numbers of females 1 requiring
bulls each year during the period in question will be as follows:

NOOO Ss Sexe roe ere 22,000 O00 ee 2a = =e = 128, 2 1S Es a est Se 164, 658
OO Gee eet ese ee SOS O00R MOtO eee eae eee 320478) (SOA a= eee seeeee 177, 08
LOOT EELS REE ee HOGS 50 LOM a oeee ee 142, 441 | OU es Ae eee 22 SOR SAT
SO OS ek aaa es ee TANG MDa OMT ste Ai aes Pee 153, 145 |

NUMBER OF BULLS REQUIRED TO SERVE FEMALES.

In the investigations of the Jordan Commission in 1896-97 the num-
ber of bulls actually engaged with cows was found to bear the relation
to the females of 1 to 30—that is to say, each bull with cows was found

to have on the average 30 cows in his harem. At that time there were

thousands of idle and vicious bulls hanging around the mass of breed-
ing cows unable to obtain consorts, but watching every chance to oust
1 harem master and take possession of his harem. An average harem,
therefore, of 1 bull to 30 cows is considered a rational and natural
allotment.

Applying this ratio of 1 bull to 30 cows to the breeding cows which
are shown ‘by the foregoing estimate to be present on the islands dur-
ing the next ten years ; the number of bulls to be required for service

will be as follows: ms

MOOD Seu ota eh 3 0GGH MIG0GS es eee eee 4) 106i! TOUS) ee eee ee 5, 488
OOGR ose c| oe SOOO MMO MOBS = a2 eee cee A 4ld | 1O14 poe See see 5, 901
GOT ae oie ee eres Sooo al Que eae eee 4, (48:| DOLO ss ow ei5~ ae 6, 345

OOS mies Sn eee SOLO OU ie eee ee 5, 104 |

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 49
NUMBER OF BULLS THAT WILL BE PRESENT.

It will next be necessary to compute the number of bulls that will
be present on the islands during the period in question in the case of
an entire cessation of pelagic “sealing. Should the latter object be
accomplished it would result in a ereatly increased number of cows on
the islands, and measures would have to be taken to so regulate the
killing of bachelors on land as to provide the necessary number of
bulls for this additional number of females.

It can be shown, however, that these measures can be put into effect
without an entire cessation of land killing during any one year. It
must be remembered that the effect of a reservation of young males
can not at once be realized in an increase in bulls. A bull must be at
least 6 years old—and should be 7 years old—before he can establish
a holding on a rookery and act as a fully equipped rookery male.
Previous to that time, while it has the capacity to serve females, a
male lacks the stamina and courage necessary to hold a position ona
rookery against all comers. If, for example, a number of 3-vear-old
males should be reserved for breeding purposes in 1906, at least three
years, and probably four years, must elapse before their presence
would be noted on the rookeries. The full effect of a reservation of
males for breeding, therefore, can not be fully felt until four years
thereafter.

The reservation, in 1904, of 1,000 2-year-old bachelors and 1,000
3-year-old bachelors will not be apparent on the rookeries until 1907,
when the 1,000 3-year-olds released in the year mentioned will
appear on the flanks of the breeding herd as 6-year-old half bulls. In
1908 they will be full-grown bulls, and those of them that have
escaped the effects of pelagic sealing and mortality from natural
causes will in that year be active harem masters. The 2- -year-olds,
1,000 in number, reserved in 1904, will be 6-year-olds in 1908, and in
the following year (1909) will become full rookery bulls.

It is perfectly obvious that this increase can not be expedited by the
immunizing from slaughter of a greater number of young males than
would be required by the cows. If the herd’s entire yield of young
males were released in any given year, it would require from three to
four years for them to mature, precisely as it would in the case of the
reservation of a limited number. The entire yield of a year, if
reserved, would result four years thereafter in flooding the rook-
eries with a great mass of bulls, only a few of which would be
required. The residue would represent merely economic waste, as
their presence would be useless to the breeding females and their
skins valueless for commercial purposes. They would be a source of
danger alike to the herd and to its observers. The same object could
be accomplished by the releasing of such number only as would be
estimated to be required (with a safe mar gin for contingencies) and by
killing the residue for skins at a time when such skins are commer-
cially “Valuable.

In order to ascertain what effect a total cessation of killing on land
for a period of ten years would have on the bachelor herd, I have
constructed a table showing the approximate number of male seals of
all ages, from pups to full-grown bulls, that would frequent the islands
from 1905 to 1915, with no land killing whatsoever.

H. Doe. 251, 59—2——4

50 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

It may as well be stated in advance that this table shows beyond
doubt the folly of a total vessation of killing. While the increase in
bulls from bachelors released in 1905 will not be felt until the year
1909, from that time on their numbers would increase so rapidly as to
incumber the rookeries with thousands of belligerent bulls for which
there would be no cows.

SSTIMATE OF BULLS WITH STOPPAGE OF LAND KILLING.

In 1905 there were 1,899 adult eae on the rookeries, with 1,535
half bulls between the ages of 4and 7 years. There were, in addi-
tion, approximately 1,! 80 3- -year-olds, 7,300 2-year-olds, 18,896 year-
ling bachelors. and 39,000 male new-born pups. The tables of increase
in male life are constructed upon this basis.

It has been mentioned that any reservation of young male life will
not reach the rookeries until the expiration of the period necessary
for them to grow into adult males. With this understanding, it can
be seen that a reservation of 3-year-olds will not reach the rookeries
until 1909,

During this interval between 1905 and 1909 the bulls already on the:
rookeries could look for recruits only from the 1,535 half bulls of
1905 and from the 2,000 bachelors released for breeding purposes in
1904 and 1905 in the proportion of 1,000 3-year-olds and 1,000 2-year-
olds in each year. The 3-year-olds of 1904 would reach the full adult
stage in 1908, although, asstated, many of them undoubtedly would serve
cows in 1907. From these half bulls, and from the reservations of
young males already mentioned, we might expect, in the contingency
of a cessation of deep-sea killing, to have the supply of adult bulls
maintained at its present status, but not increased during the interval
between 1905 and 1909, While a slight increase in bulls might occur
during this interval as the result of the reservations for breeding, it is
not wise to hope for more than a maintenance of the herd of bulls in
its present numbers until 1909.

With these preliminary statements it will be necessary to go back:
to the year 1905 and trace, step by step, the bachelors of that ‘and the
succeeding years to their arrival at the stage of breeding bulls.

Allowing a deduction for natural mortality, it can be readily seen
that the 3-year-olds of 1905 will be the 4-year-olds of 1906, and so on
in the cases of the 2-year-olds, ye earlings, and nursing pups. That
mortality, as already stated, has been estimated at 10 per cent in the
cases of all classes of animals except new-born pups, which are believed
to suffer a mortality of 50 per cent during the migration preceding
their return to the islands as yearlings.

With the application of this death rate, the young males of 1905
would return in 1906 in the following numbers:

Bulls 3 See See 1, 899 | 4-year-old males... 1,782 | 1-year-old males... 19,500
6-year-old males. . - 0 | 38-year-old males... 6,480 Male pups ......-- 41, 400
5-year-old males. - - 0 | 2-year-old males... 17, 007

The birth rate for 1906 was previously determined at 82,800 pups,
of which half, or 41,400, would be males. ‘The birth rate for each
vear is added in these tables as it was found to exist in the table of
breeding cows. —

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. ok

The males of 1906 would appear in 1907 in the following numbers,
with the application of the death rate mentioned:

Bul Sesetes cso 1, 899 | 4-year-old males... 5, 832 | 1-year-old males... 20, 700
6-year-old males. - - 0 | 38-year-old males... 15,307 | Male pups ......-- 44, 550
5-year-old males... 1, 604 | 2-year-old males... 17, 550 |

In 1908 there would be the A hilt

PP tS ye a tee 1, 899 | 4-year-old males... 13,777 | 1-year-old males... 22, 275
6-year-old males... 1,444 | 3-year-old males. . 15, 79 D) Vialenpups'e. 5222. 7, 992
5-year-old males. - - 5, 249 | 2-year-old males. . _ 18,6 530 |

We can see that, up to this time, no accessions to the class of breed-
ing bulls have been received from the young males released in 1905.
The next year (1909) will show the first graduates into the adult male

class.

BMS oldeeee secee 1, 899 | 5-year-old males... 12,400 | 2-year-old males... 20, 048
IDWS Mewees ese 1,300 | 4-year-old males. - - 14, 216 | 1-year-old males... 23, 996
6-year-old males... 4,725 3-year-old males. - - 16, 767 | Male pups ......-- 51, 577

In the ‘‘new bulls ” of this year we see the 1,444 6-year-olds of 1908.
This is the 3-year-old class of 1905. The 4,725 6-year-olds of this year
were the 7,200 2-year-olds of 1905. From this point on the increase
in bulls will be rapid, and so large as to make investigation of the
rookeries a serious and difficult matter.

Following is shown the number of males that will be present in 1910:

|

Bullstroldeusss 5 22 2,790 | 5-year-old males... 12,795 | 2-year-old males... 21,597
Bullsimewlsosa-5: 4, 253 | 4-year-old males... 15,091 | 1-year-old males... 25, 788
6-year-old males... 11, 160 | 38-year-old males... 18, 044 | Male pups ..-...-- 55, 441

In 1911 there will be a much greater increase in breeding bulls, as
will be shown by the following:

Bulls Olds. oases 6, 339 | 5-year-old males... 13,582 | 2-year-old males... 23, 210

Bulls, new.-.----- 10, 044 | 4-year-old males... 16, 240 | 1-year-old males... 27,720

|

6-year-old males... 11,516 | 3-year-old males... 19,438 | Male pups.......- 59, 615

In the new bulls of 1911, we find the new-born pups of 1905, which
have come up through successive stages without suffering any loss
from land killing. The influx of over ay 000 bulls on the rookeries in
one year changes the status of affairs there in that limited time from a
practically normal condition to one of a large surplus of adult male
life. Irom now on the increase in males will be all out of proportion
to the needs of the herd.

The number that will be present in 1912 follows:

Bullswoldeeeese:-- 14, 734 | 5-year-old males... 14, 616 | 2-year-old males... 24, 948
Bulls} mew 22220 eee 10, 365 | | 4-year-old males... 17,495 | 1-year-old males... 29, 807
6-year-old males... 12,224 | 3-year-old males- -- 20, 889 | Male pups ......-- 64, 098

As shown by the above figures we have in 1912 over 25,000 bulls.
A reference to the table of the increase in cows (Table 1, p. 58) shows
that of these only 5,104 would be required. The difference, 20,000,
would be asurplus. As these bulls were killable 2-year- olds in 1907,
this surplus represents:a waste of male life which at once demonstrates
the absurdity of a total cessation of killing in 1907.

This number of bulls is further increased in the following three
years to a number so absolutely out of proportion to the size of the
herd of cows as, to need no special comment. The surplus in these

52 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

years represents the killable 2-year-olds of 1908, 1909, and 1910,
respectively.

1915 | 1914 1915 | 19138 1914 | 1915

|
a Way ee pte ane eee = | ‘
Bulls’ olds eee eee | 22,590 | 30,283 | 38,600 || 3-vyear-old males......... | 22,454 | 24,145 | 25, 961
Bull Sssmew eee | 10,002 | 11,840 | 12,755 || 2-year-old males......... | 26,827 | 28,845] 31,012
6-year-old males ......... 13; 155) 14,172) 15,229 | 1-year-old males......... 82,049 | 34,457 | 37,048
5-year-old males ......... 15, 746 | 16,921 | 18,189 || Male pups............... 68,915 | 74,096 | 79,667
4-year-old males ........- | 18,801 | 20,209 | 21,731 | |
|

The result of the suspension of killings on land during the years
1909, 1910, and 1911 is here seen by the presence on the rookeries in
1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively, of 32,592, 42,073, and 51,355 bulls,
an estimated proportion of bulls to cows of from 1 to5 to 1 to 3. In
actuality but a small percentage of these bulls will have cows, and the
remainder would constitute a dense fringe of savage, idle bulls around
the breeding mass, destructive alike to each other and to the cows and
an absolute bar to careful enumeration of the herd.

TRADE CONDITIONS AN ELEMENT.

Unlike gold and gems, there is no intrinsic value in sealskins. Their
present value is the result solely of their arbitrary selection by the
makers of the world’s fashions as the popular and correct fur. The
persons who fix these fashions find their livelihood in the sale of the
garments which they make popular. It is obvious that no fur will be
held popular if it is not produced in sufficient quantity to supply the
demands of the trade and to insure an adequate return for the trouble
and expense necessary to place it in general demand. It is also obvious
that should the supply of sealskins fail another fur would at once be
popularized and the sealskin would be relegated to the class of cheap
furs to which at one time it belonged.

This contingency would have a direct bearing at once upon botb the
lessee and the lessor (the Government) of the sealing right. The
lessee would be vitally affected by the great decrease in the market or
selling price of its skins, in addition to suffering the loss incident to a
total stoppage of its profits in the years during which it had no seal-
skins to sell. The amount which the lessee now stands obligated to
pay the Government for each skin ($10.223) is predicated entirely
upon a high market value and the maintenance of that value during
the period of the lease. To destroy the supply of sealskins is to de-
stroy the high market value which the sealskin now enjoys, and its
destruction entails the inability of the lessee to pay the present royalty
on each skin shipped when killing is resumed and when enough skins
are again taken to supply the market. The lessee in this event could
afford to ship no skins from the islands, and the Government would
lose the amount of its royalties on the skins and be left with the skins
on its hands.

To prove that sealskins have no intrinsic value and were to be
bought in former years for little or nothing, it is only necessary to
state that in 1870, the opening year of the first lease, the skins brought
only about $5 each. In the sixties they are stated to have brought
in China only about $2.50. Their present average market value is
about $37.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 53

Previous to 1870 the world’s supply of sealskins was precarious and
irregular, and the fur occupied a minor position in fashionable use.
After the lease in 1870 to the Alaska Commercial Company, by judi-
cious manipulation and the assurance of a steady annual yield the fur
was standardized as a fashionable article both in Europe and in this
country, and has held that position since.

TOTAL CESSATION OF LAND KILLING UNNECESSARY.

Having shown the lack of wisdom in preserving all the males on the
islands during ¢ any given period, and the injury which will be wrought,
by a cessation of killing, to the market for sealskins, affecting alike
the lessee and the Government, as well as to the herd itself, it can be
demonstrated easily that more than an ample supply of breeding bulls
can be allowed the herd with a contemporaneous judicious killing of a
certain number of surplus young males. For this purpose another
series of computations has been made, using, as heretofore, the num-
ber of male seals of all classes found present in 1905, and following
then year by year to 1915, allowing, as in former computations, a 50
per cent death rate in new-born pups and a 10 per cent death rate in
all other classes of seals.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1905.

In 1905, as stated before, there were found 1,980 3-year-old bach-
elors, 7.200 2-year-old bachelors, 18,896 yearling Bachelors! and 39,000
male pups, in addition to 1,899 bulls and 1,535 half bulls between
the ages of 4 and 6 years. The problem is now to allow an ample
supply of bulls without cutting off entirely the shipment of skins
from the islands. It has been shown that any killable 3-year-olds
released in 1905 would not mature into breeding bulls Sat 1909.
‘This is inevitable. No amount of abstention from. killing will hasten
the maturity of these animals. When the males released in 1905,
however, once reach the breeding grounds, they will come in such num-
bers as to almost at once overstock the herd with bulls. By antici-
pating the volume of this surplus, or, in other words, by ascertaining
as near as possible how many more bulls than are necessary for the
herd would mature from a given year should all be allowed to reach
maturity, a safe idea may be obtained of the number that may be killed
that year.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1906.
The number of males in 1905, above stated, with no pelagic killing,

will bring to the islands in 1906, by the methods of computation out-
lined, the following numbers:

Balisis : ico: Gseaes 1,899 | 5-year-olds......-- 0 | 2-year-olds.....-..- 17, 007
Halim bullsees eee 0 | 4-year-olds....---- 1, 782 | 1-year-olds...----- 19, 500
6-year-olds ......-- 0 | 3-year-olds......-- 6,480 | Male pups -------- 41, 400

The 1,980 3-year-olds of 1905 have passed into 1906 as 1,782 4-year-
olds. The 7,200 2-year-olds of 1905 have passed into 1906 as 6,480
3-year-olds. Tn view of the deficiency in breeding bulls already exist-
ing, all of these 3-year-olds should go untouched by the-club to act in
future as breeders. The 18,896 yearlings of 1905 would produce 17,007

54 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

2-year-olds, however, and from these 10,000 safely could be killed for
skins, leaving 7,007 surviving.

It must be said, however, that this killing must be conducted under
strict regulation. To insure only 2-year-olds being taken, the killings
should be under the personal direction of the Government agents, and
a prohibition enforced against the shipment from the islands of skins
weighing more than 7 pounds or less than 5 pounds.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1907.
With this killing of 10,000 2-year-olds in 1906, and the application

of the 10 per cent death rate to the remainder, there would be in 1907
the following:

BUS ats eee eyes 1, 889 | 4-year-olds........ 9, 862 | I=year-olds..-.2.2: 20, 000
6-year-olds..-.-..-. 0 | 3-year-olds..-..... 6, 300 | Male pups ......-.- 44, 450
5-year-olds.......- 1,604 | 2-year-olds...-...-. 17, 550

Having allowed 6,480 83-year-old males to escape in 1906 for breeders,
which is more than a sufficient number to be released each year, it is
practicable to kill, in 1907, from the 6,300 3-year-olds of that year,
2,500, leaving 3,800 to serve as breeders. This can be accomplished
by the adoption of a regulation prohibiting the shipment from the
islands of skins weighing over 8} pounds.

From the 17,550 2-year-olds, 10,000 can safely be killed, leaving
7,550 to represent the 3-year-old class the following year.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1908.

With the killing of 10,000 2-year-olds and 2,500 3-year-olds in 1907,
the number that would appear in 1908 would be as follows:

Bulls: bes Sa he Bt 1, 889 | 4-year-olds .....-- 3, 420 | l-year-olds .....-- 22, 225
6-year-olds ...... - 1,444} 3-year-olds ....... 6,750 | Male pups ..-..-.-- 47, 992
5-year-olds .------ 5, 249 | 2-year-olds ....... 18, 630

From the 3-year-olds of this year 2,500 could be killed, leaving
4,250 to mature. From the 2-year-olds 10,000 could be taken, leaving
8,630, a total killing of 12,500 skins.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1909.

There would appear in 1909 the following males:

Bulls: olds. ssc. 1, 889 | 5-year-olds ......- 3, 078 | 2-year-olds .....-. 20, 003
Bulls we wees. cee 1, 300 | 4-year-olds ....... 3, 725 | l-year-olds .--...- 23, 996
6-year-olds ...._-- 4,725 | 3-year-olds ...--.- 7,767 | Malle pups.....-.- 51,577

We see here the first accession of bulls from the 3-year-olds remain-
ing at the close of the season of 1905. The seals released under the
first year of the so-called ‘‘ new regulations,” together with the stop-
page of sea killing, are looked upon to at least preserve the herd of
bulls without decrease. We have also in this year a splendid class of
over 4,000 6-year-olds that will serve cows wherever they can obtain
them.

From the 3-year-olds of this year 2,500 can safely be killed, leaving
5,267 to pass this stage for breeders. From the 20,000 2-year-olds
11,000 may be killed, leaving 9,000 for the 3-year-old class of the year
following. This makes a total killing for this year of 18,500, an
increase over the preceding year of 1,000.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES, 55

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1910.

In 1910 we would have the following:

Bulllssroldeaee teeny! 2 2,796 | 5-year-olds....---- ¢ 3,300 | 2-year-olds._..-... 21,597
Bullssnewret 2. c£2< 4.953 | 4-year-olds....---- 4,741 Pals -year-olds_....... 25,788
6-year-olds....-.--- 2,771 | 3-year-olds-....-.-- 8,103 Male pups .....-.- 55,441

We have here an accession of over 4,000 bulls in one year. These
are the 3-year-olds of 1906. In this one year the number of bulls
received are sufficient to place the rookeries at once in a stable and
normal condition as regards the proportion of bulls to cows. From
this time on, with rational management of the killing on land and the
continued abstention from sea killing, no scarcity of bulls will be
encountered.

From the 8,100 3-year-olds present this year 3,500 may safely be
killed, an increase of 1,000 in this class of skins over the preceding
year. From the 21,500 2-year-olds 12,500 may be killed, an increase
over the preceding year of 1,500. This would allow a total killing of
16,000.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1911.

In 1911 the number of male seals present on the islands would be
as follows:

Bulllgwolda-aes222 = 6, 339 | 5-year-olds.....--- 4, 267 | 2-year-olds.--.-.--- 23, 210
Bulls mew: 222222. 2,494 | 4-year-olds._-.._-- 4 143 | | l-year-olds..-..--- 27, 720
6-year-olds-.------ 3, 018 | 3-year-olds--.-.---- 8, 188 | Male pups ._.._._- 59, 615

In this year we would have a surplus of 4,000 adult bulls above the
number necessary to fertilize the cows at a normal ratio of 1 to 30.
From the 8,000 3-year-oids we could kill 3,500, the same as in the pre-
ceding year. From the 23,210 2-year- olds we could kill 13,000, an
increase of 500 over the previous year. The quota of skins for this
year would be 16,500.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1912.

In 1912 the following number of seals would appear:

Bulllsold eas see ‘, 950 5-year-olds......-- Seo) | 2-year-olds.--..--- 24,948
Bulls e wie fees 5 Pa AMAT i 4-year-olds._...--.- 4, 220 | l-year-olds.--..--- 29, 807
6-year-olds_.....-- 3, 841 | 3-year-olds-_--.---- 9,189 | Male pups .--..--- 64, 098

From the 9,189 je ae of this year we could afford to kill 4,000,
an increase in this class of skins of 500 over the preceding year, while
from the 24,948 2-year-olds we would be justified in killing 14,000, an
increase of 1,000 skins of this class over 1911, and a total quota of
skins of 18,000.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1913.

The number of seals which would appear in 1913 under this arrange-
ment of killing would be as follows:

Bullscgids- ae 9,601 | 5-year-olds.......- 3, 798 | 2-year-olds.....--- 26, 827
Bulls, new _.-.- -.-- 8,467 | 4-year-olds -...--- 4,671 | l-year-olds...---.-- 32, 049
6-year-olds........ 3, 307 | 3+year-olds......-- 8, 854 | Male pups -....--- 68, 915

From these 8-year-olds 4,000 could be killed, as in the preceding
year. From the 26,827 2-vear-olds, however, 15,000 skins may be
taken, an increase of 1,000 over the preceding year, and a total quota
of skins of 19,000.

56 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1914.

There, would appear in 1914 the following number of male seals:

Bulls soldi: Pe eelileaie:|"o-year-oldseaeae eee 4, 204 | 2-year-olds.....--- 28, 845
Bulls; new 23-324 3, 022 | 4-vear-olds....---- 3, 369 | l-year-olds .......- 34, 457
6-year-olds.....--- 3,419 | 3-year-olds.--.---- 10, 645 | Male pups ....--.-- 74, 096

The killing of 3-year-olds in this year can be increased from 4,000
to 4,500, while that of the 2- -year-olds can be raised to 16,500, an
increase of 1,500, giving a total quota of skins of 21,000.

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1915.

In 1915, the last year covered by this computation, there would appear
on the islands the following number of male seals:

Bulis;/old. 2... 13, 568 | 5-year-olds..---.-- 38, 033 | 2-year-olds.--.---- 31, 012
Bulllss new =: =. 22 3,078 | 4-year-olds....---- 5, 531 | 1-year-olds.--.---- ai 048
6-year-olds_....--- 3, 784 | 3-year-olds......-- 11, 10 | Male pupsit £222 2 79, 667

These final figures show that, witha eradnaliy increasing annual catch
of bachelors in the last ten years, during which a total of 162 ,000
skins would have been taken, the number of active bulls on the islands
would be raised to 16,646, of which only 6,300 would be required at
the ratio of 1 to 30. This would demonstrate the futility of any abso-
lute suspension of killing, and shows that with proper management
enough skins can be taken to net a profit both to the Government and
the lessee, while the herd at the same time can be supplied with thou-
sands of bulls more than are necessary. The management of killing
along the lines indicated and the selection of the various classes of

seals for killing are mere matters of detail and can be accomplished
without difliculty or friction.

RATE OF INCREASE CONSERVATIVE.

While the rate of increase shown by these computations insures a
steady gain in the herd in the ten years in question, it is conservative
enough | to lead to the belief that, with pelagic sealing done away with,
an even greater increase will be found. The history of Robben ‘Tsland,
in the Okhotsk Sea, shows that in the fourteen years from 1855 to 1869
that rookery, after practically having been wiped out by raiders, had
reestablished itself in its original numbers. (Stejneger, Report. Fur-
Seal Investigation Commission, pt. 4, p. 78.) During this period it
was disturbed neither by land killing of any description nor by pelagic
hunters. —

Our own Pribilof Islands furnish an instance of recuperation of their
own, which, though lacking in actual details, is striking enough
when one considers the net results. Owing to promiscuous and
wanton killing on land in the years following the discovery of the
islands, during which females as well as males are said to have been
killed, the herd on the Pribilofs was reduced in 1835 to a number
which analogy fixes very closely as the number apparent there at the
present day. After that year (1835), however, closed seasons were
enforced, reservations were made of males for breeders, and females
were exempted from slaughter—at least by regulation, if not, in all
cases, in actual practice. The result of these corrective measures, as
shown by the incomplete records left by the Russians, was a oradual

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. ai

increase in the number of skins taken until 1868. In the latter year
alone, the first of the American occupation, over 248,000 skins were
secured.

The Pribilof Island rookeries, therefore, practically increased their
numbers to the point of greatest expansion in thirty-three years under
the uncertain management of the Russians. What it will be under
rational management, in the light of the knowledge gained since the
American occupation, remains to be shown.

To sum up, it may be stated that the following main points are not
susceptible of controversy: ;

First. That seals will not increase until pelagic sealing is abolished.

Second. That on the elimination of pelagic sealing they will increase
at a comparatively rapid rate.

Third. That during this period of increase, judicious killing of sur-
pus bachelors on the islands not only will work no injury to the herd,
but will be a positive benefit in restraining the increase of the non-
productive class, the surplus of which will constitute only a detriment
and a menace to the breeding females and will add no additional lives
to the herd.

Respectfully submitted.

Water I. LEMBKEY,
Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries.
Hon. Epwin W. Sims,
Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor.

REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES.

53

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