86 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



(Inriuft- tlie sealing season are too ofteu disturbed to afford op])urtiinity for est 

 flieir uumbcrs. But after the sealing is all done and the full (inola taken 



'stimatin^ 



_^ „„„.„„.^. -_ ^ j^^i" the 



year we know what remains as a future supply. In a few diiys they settle quietly 

 on their resting places and can then be fairly estimated. On St. Paul Island there is 

 evidence of a steady increase that exceeds the demand to fill the quota for that island, 

 while on St. George Island, as before stated, the supply falls short of the number 

 necessary to furnish large-sized skins. All other conditions appear to be the same 

 on St. George as on St. Paul, the females annually increasing in numbers, showing 

 it to be only necessary to reduce the number of males taken for their skins to afford 

 the necessary complement for breeding purposes. Thus may be summed up the 

 general condition of the fur seals at the seal islands after three years' practical 

 application of the present estalilished system for their management. 



The number of breeding females Las increased 15 per cent while 100,000 males have 

 been taken annually for their skins, and there is still left a surplus of males required 

 for breeding purposes. 



[Report dated August 4, 1874. J 



Astheclass of seals killed for their skins are mostly 4 years old and they do not mature 

 until 6 years, the full effect of the additions of 15,000 increase on the quota of this 

 island the present year can not be fully estimated until two years more, when those 

 that have escaped to grow up this year will be sufficiently matured to be of service. 

 In my opinion any further increase in the number of seals to be taken annually would 

 result in future injury to the rookeries, 



[Report dated October 11. 1875.] 



At time of writing my detailed report on the habits of these animals, dated Novem- 

 ber 30, 1869, it was stated to be 100,000. This number was based on the best infor- 

 mation obtainable at that time from the natives of the island and the few employees 

 of the former Eussian Fur Company remaining in the Territory. Since then a resi- 

 dence of seven successive seasons on the island in charge of these animals has fur- 

 nished me with the desired opportunity for determining this surplus product by 

 actual study of their habits and requirements, and the result is the killing of 100,000 

 per annum does not leave a sufficient number of males to mature for the wants of the 

 increase in the number of females. And as it is desirable to state some of the meth- 

 ods by which these conclusions have been reached by me a brief statement of the 

 habits of these animals and the effect of the killing of 100,000 per year for the past 

 five years seems necessary. 



Constant and careful attention has been given to the condition and changes m the 

 different classes of seals, and the data kept for comparison from year to year, and the 

 result, as summed up the present year in comparison with 1870, shows the present 

 stock of breeding females has steadily increased in a ratio of r> or 6 per cent per 

 annum added to the original stock, while the stock of breeding bulls has decreased, 

 by loss from age and other causes, so much faster than there has been young seals 

 grown up to replace them that its present condition is only equal to the present 

 demand, and the stock of half-bulls, or those to mature in the next two years, is not 

 sufficient to meet the wants of the increase in the females. Under these circumstances 

 I feel it my duty to recommend that for the next two years the number of seals to be 

 taken for their "skins be limited to 85,000 per annum, to be apportioned between the 

 two islands as follows : For St. Paul Island, 70,000, and for St. George Island, 15,000. 



Kow, US these reports run, Captain Bryant will be perfectly consist- 

 ent if lie advocates an increase of 30,000 to the lawful (juota next year, 

 and what's to prevent him on the ground of his taking? 



Special Agent Bryant; xyreMminary report for 187G. 



Treasury Agent's Office, 



St. Paul Island, May 35, J<^70. 

 Sir: I have the honor to submit the following brief statement for 

 your information : Immediately after my personal interview with your- 

 self ou March 22, having been notified by the president of the Alaska 

 Commercial Company that their vessel would sail for the seal islands 

 on or about the 15th of April, and also being informed by the district 



