FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY 
PRIBILOF ISLANDS 
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK 
In the calendar year 1926, 22,131 fur-seal skins were taken on the 
Pribilof Islands, of which 16,231 were taken on St. Paul Island and 
5,900 on St. George Island. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
three of the sealskins taken were blubbered on St. Paul Island be- 
fore being salted. An ample reserve of 3-year-old male seals for 
future breeding stock was made. Careful attention was given to the 
feeding and general management of the fox berds. The by-products 
plant on St. Paul Island was not operated. Some surplus oil pre- 
pared at the plant in previous years was shipped to the States and 
sold. 
The construction of new concrete dwellings for the natives on St. 
Paul Island was continued. Progress was made on the construction 
of a number of new buildings for general station purposes on both 
St. Paul and St. George Islands, some of the structures being com- 
pleted. Progress was made on road work on both islands. 
The general supplies for the islands were transported from Seattle 
on the U. 8S. S. Vega, which was made available through the courtesy 
of the Navy Department. Commercial vessels and the bureau’s 
power schooner /%der also transported miscellaneous minor supples 
at various times. 
An effective patrol was maintained by the United States Coast 
Guard in Bering Sea and in other waters of the North Pacific Ocean 
frequented by the fur seals. While engaged in this work, the Coast 
Guard vessels incidentally rendered valuable assistance to the bu- 
reau in connection with its work on the Pribilof Islands. 
Great Britain and Japan continued the policy of recent years of 
having their shares of sealskins taken on the Pribilof Islands sold 
by the United States Government, which results in the payment to 
them of money instead of the actual delivery of sealskins. 
VISIT OF REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPANESE GOVERNMENT 
Mr. Keishi Ishino, of the Imperial Fisheries Bureau of Japan, 
visited the Pribilof Islands for the purpose of making general 
observations in regard to sealing matters. Mr. Ishino reached St. 
Paul Island by the Japanese fisheries patrol vessel Hakuho Maru 
on June 20. This vessel left on June 21 for the purpose of making 
various fisheries investigations in Bering Sea and a trip to Unalaska. 
Mr. Ishino remained at St. Paul Island, leaving there for St. George 
Island on the Zider on July 18. On July 30 he left St. George 
Island on the Hakuho Maru and arrived at St. Paul Island the 
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