MARINE MAMMALS 213 



close shearing, a processed pelt, called lakoda, is produced. It was first 

 sold without dyeing. Future lots will probably be dyed. 



By-Products. A reduction plant on St. Paul Island produces blubber 

 oil, carcass oil, and seal meal. Blubber oil is a more valuable product than 

 carcass oil. Seal meal is primarily used as a protein supplement in poultry 

 feeds. It is sold by protein units. A recent analysis of fur seal meal follows: 



The reduction of seal carcasses is not profitable at current world prices. 

 An alternate possibility, now being tested, is the use of the ground, frozen 

 carcasses for feeding pen-raised fur animals. 



Whaling 



Whaling is carried on in the United States from three shore stations on 

 the Pacific Coast — two on San Francisco Bay at Richmond, California 

 and one at the mouth of the Columbia River at Warrenton, Oregon. Six 

 catcher boats are used. The annual catch has averaged about 300 whales 

 during recent years. 



Species Taken. The following six species of whales are presently utilized 

 commercially in the United States: 



Baleen Whales. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest spe- 

 cies, reaching a length of 25 meters (82 feet) in our waters. It occurs off 

 the California coast in small numbers during late September and October. 

 It feeds on ''krill" (euphausiids). 



The fin whale {Balaenoptera physatus), length to 23 meters (75 feet) in 

 our waters, is common off the California coast from April to October. 

 It feeds chiefly on krill and is the most important species economically. 



Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), length to 15 meters (50 feet), is abun- 

 dant off the California coast from July to October. It feeds on anchovies, 

 sauries, krill, and copepods. 



Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) , length to 15 meters (50 

 feet), is common off the California coast from March to November. It 

 feeds chiefly on anchovies and is important economically, but over- 

 utilization usually results in severe local depletion of stocks near shore 

 stations. 



Toothed Whales. Sperm whale {Physeter ma^rocephalus) has a length for 

 males up to 16.5 meters (54 feet) and for females up to 11.5 meters (38 



