XXX REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 
The entire Alaska fishery industry gave employment to 28,052 per- 
sons, as compared with 27,685 persons in 1925, and represented an 
investment of $74,557,522. 
The extent and condition of the Alaska fisheries in 1926 and of the 
activities of the bureau under the laws and regulations for the pro- 
tection of the fisheries are covered in detail in the annual report of 
the Alaska service for that year.® 
ALASKA FUR-SEAL SERVICE 
GENERAL ACTIVITIES 
Activities at the Pribilof Islands during the year continued in 
general along the lines heretofore followed. The take of sealskins 
was satisfactory, exceeding somewhat that of the previous year, and 
the usual. annual computation showed a substantial increase in the 
size of the herd. A sufficient number of 38-year-old males was marked 
and reserved for future breeding requirements. Foxing operations 
progressed satisfactorily. 
Good progress was made in the construction of new buildings and 
in other improvements, including roads. The new buildings are 
largely to replace former structures, which through age have de- 
teriorated so that they can no longer be kept in repair. “The desira- 
bility of shortening seal drives and the advantages to be derived from 
the use of motor-driven vehicles make suitable roads a matter of much 
importance. 
Food, fuel, clothing, shelter, and medical and educational facilities 
were provided 344 native inhabitants of the islands. The issues of 
food and other necessaries of life were supplemented by cash pay- 
ments on the basis of 75 cents for each sealskin and $5 for each fox 
skin taken, in return for which the natives perform the general work 
at the islands. Additional small payments were made for certain 
special services. <A staff of white employees supervises all work at 
the Pribilof Islands. 
Through the courtesy of the Navy Department, the general supplies 
for the fiscal year 1927 were transported from Seattle to the Pribilof 
Islands by the United States steamer Vega, and the sealskins were 
shipped from the islands on that vessel. The bureau is also indebted 
to the United States Coast Guard for many services rendered by 
vessels on the fur-seal patrol. 
SEAL HERD 
On August 10, 1926, the Pribilof Islands fur-seal herd was com- 
puted to contain 761,281 animals. This was an increase of 38,231, 
or 5.29 per cent over the corresponding figure for 1925. 
TAKE OF SEALSKINS 
In the calendar year 1926 there were taken on the Pribilof Islands 
99,131 fur-seal skins, of which 16,231 were from St. Paul Island and 
5,900 from St. George Island. This was an increase of 2,271 over 
the number taken in 1925. 

® Alaska Fishery and Fur-Seal Industries in 1926. By Ward T. Bower. Appendix IV, 
Report United States Commissioner of Fisheries for 1927, pp. 225-836, 15 figs. Bureau of 
Fisheries Document No. 1025, Washington. 
