EFFECTS OF THE REGULATIONS. 181 



proper, but the discrimination against the Aleuts on the shores of Bering Sea is 

 unjust. These requirements, one and all, have absolutely no bearing upon the welfare 

 of the seals. 



The requirement regarding the record by the sealing captains of the sex of 

 animals taken was a useful one, as providing a means for the securing of valuable 

 data bearing upon the effects of the regulations. The method was, however, 

 unfortunate, and for the very natural reason that it could not be expected that the 

 sealers would take the trouble to make honest reports which must be injurious in the 

 highest degree to their business. The sequel shows, as we have already pointed out, 

 that they can not be depended upon for correct information. 



THE SIXTY-MILE ZONE. 



The remaining provisions are more vital. The 60 mile zone about the islands has 

 a positive value in keeping vessels at such distance from the rookeries as to make 

 successful raiding impossible. When we have said this regarding the protected zone, 

 we have stated its only importance. The feeding grounds of the seals lie far outside 

 of its limits. On the journeys to and from the grounds the seals do not loiter much 

 in the protected area. A protected zone, to be of any value, should cover and 

 include the feeding grounds to which the nursing females resort. 



THE CLOSE SEASON. 



The provision for a close season is of more importance, though even its value is 

 by no means great. It shuts off' that catch which was formerly made in May along 

 the southern shore of the Alaskan Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. This catch 

 was unusually destructive, because the females were growing heavy with pup. Under 

 the regulations these animals, which have escaped from the hunters oft* the coast in 

 March and April, are allowed to continue their way in peace to the islands. During 

 June and July they are protected, but as they then spend a large part of the time on 

 shore the protection is not so important as it seems. 



REGULATIONS ADAPTED TO WORK OF SEALERS. 



As if suited to the needs of the sealers and against those of the seals, the sea is 

 opened on the 1st of August at the time when, under the necessity of furnishing 

 nourishment for their growing offspring, the mother seals are forced to spend the 

 greater part of the time on the feeding grounds. To understand fully the destructive 

 force of this month of August, it is only necessary to .observe that in the spring the 

 herd is constantly moving on, and there is more or less difficulty in locating it. In 

 Bering Sea the seals frequent certain feeding banks regularly, coming and going at 

 intervals. If a seal is not taken at her first trip, other opportunities will occur on her 

 second and subsequent trips. The sealer has only to wait for her, and in the meantime 

 go on taking other seals. 



The close season, therefore, offers little protection to the female fur seal. It 

 permits her to escape at one place and time only to allow her to be taken at another 

 and more favorable time and place. It saves her from death before the birth of her 

 offspring only to leave her liable to be killed after it is born and to subject her 

 offspring to death by starvation. 



