XII EEPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



which has its breeding grounds on the Pribilof Islands in Bering Sea 

 has changed from a state of threatened extinction to a well-developed 

 economic resource. During the 21 years in which the treaty has been 

 in effect the herd has steadily increased, and about 50,000 surplus 

 3-year-old male seals are now taken annually. 



Progress was made in the construction program, particularly 

 regarding facilities for the handling of increased takes of sealskins. 

 On St. Paul Island work was continued on the East Landing wharf, 

 a garage for trucks and other motive equipment was built, a new 

 pump house was erected and equipment installed to provide an addi- 

 tional water supply for the washing of sealskins, and the construc- 

 tion of a new Government house and a community hall was begun. 

 Some extension of improved roads was accomplished on both islands. 



Through cooperation of the Navy Department the annual supplies 

 for the Pribilof Islands were transported from Seattle, Wash., on the 

 U. S. S. Vega, and the season's take of sealskins was brought to 

 Seattle by that vessel. Valuable assistance was rendered also by the 

 United States Coast Guard in patrolling waters frequented by the 

 fur seals and in performing other services in connection with the 

 bureau's administration of affairs at the islands. 



The Commissioner of Fisheries visited the Probilof Islands in July 

 to observe the progress of sealing activities. 



SEAL HERD 



The computed number of animals in the Pribilof Islands fur-seal 

 herd on August 10, 1931, was 1,127,082, an increase of 81,981, or 7.84 

 per cent, over the corresponding figure for 1930. 



TAKE OF SEALSKINS 



In the calendar year 1931 there were taken on the Pribilof Islands 

 49,524 fur-seal skins, of which 39,964 were from St. Paul Island 

 and 9,560 from St. George Island. This was an increase of 7,024 over 

 the number taken in 1930. 



MARKING RESERVED SEALS 



In 1931 there were marked and reserved for future breeding stock 

 5,226 3-year-old male seals, of which 3,570 were on St. Paul Island 

 and 1,656 on St. George Island. The reserve includes also a large 

 number of seals of this age class that were not taken in the drives. 



SALE OF SEALSKINS 



Three public auction sales of fur-seal skins taken on the Pribilof 

 Islands were held in the fiscal year 1932, the first two being at St. 

 Louis, Mo., and the third at New York City. On August 24, 1931, 

 there were sold 9,125 black-dyed and 6,000 logwood brown-dyed 

 skins at a gross price of $282,642.75. 



The sale on October 19, 1931, consisted of 5,535 black-dyed and 

 3,980 logwood brown-dyed skins, which brought a total of $153,- 

 938.50. At the same time there were sold 32 confiscated fur-seal 

 skins, raw. for $15.25, and 2 confiscated sea-otter skins for $430. 



