ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1931 73 



FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY 



PRIBILOF ISLANDS 

 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK 



The steady i!:rowth of the Pribilof IsLinds fur-seal herd under 

 Government management has brought about a gradual expansion of 

 the bureau's work at the islands, the general plan of which is being 

 continued along established lines. In 1931 there were taken 49,524 

 fur-seal skins, an increase of 7,024 over the take in the previous year. 

 Foxing operations on St. Paul and St. George Islands were carried on 

 as usual, and in the 1931-32 season 1,426 pelts were obtained, the 

 largest take recorded in over 40 years. 



Progress was made in the construction of additional buildings and 

 the extension of improved roads to facilitate the taking of sealskins 

 and their preparation for shipment. Equipment for the new by- 

 products plant was installed, but it was not ready for operation during 

 the sealing season, and it is probable that the depressed market on 

 oils may prevent any profitable utilization of the fur-seal carcasses for 

 some time to come. Meanwhile, investigations are being made to 

 determine the practicability of using fur-seal oil as fuel for Diesel 

 engines. 



The Navy Department again detailed a vessel, the U. S. S. Vega, to 

 transport the general supplies for the Pribilof Islands and to bring out 

 the shipment of sealskins on the return trip to Seattle. Assistance 

 was rendered also by the U. S. Coast Guard, which maintained an 

 effective patrol for the protection of the fur seals, both in the vicinity 

 of the islands and while the animals were on their northward migra- 

 tion. The cooperation of these branches of the Government is of 

 very material assistance to the bureau in the administration of the 

 fur-seal activities. 



The Canadian and Japanese Governments continued having their 

 shares of Pribilof Islands sealskins sold by the United States, receiving 

 payment in money rather than the actual delivery of skins. The 

 United States share of fur-seal skins taken by the Japanese Govern- 

 ment in 1931 was received at St. Louis in February, 1932. 



Commissioner O'Malley visited the Pribilof Islands in July to ob- 

 serve sealing operations. Among those who accompanied him on this 

 trip was P. B. Fouke, president of the Fouke Fur Co., contractors for 

 finishing and selling the Government fur-seal and fox skins taken at 

 the islands. 



TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 



The U. S. S. Vega transported the general supplies required for 

 the Pribilof Islands. The vessel left Seattle on July 24 and arrived 

 at the islands on August 2. Cargo consisted of approximately 997 

 tons of general supplies, 1,322 tons of coal, 255,000 board feet of 

 lumber, and 52,000 shingles. The Vega left the islands on August 17 

 with 49,425 fur-seal skins, some miscellaneous freight, and six passen- 

 gers, arriving at Seattle August 24. 



During the yesir a number of minor shipments of supplies were 

 forwarded to the Pribilof Islands from Seattle on the Penguin on the 

 following dates: April 7, June 1, September 2, and October 12. The 

 September shipment included 31 tons of freight which was taken 



