306 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 
Fur-seal Patrol 
Ten vessels of the Coast Guard were instrumental in enforcing the 
laws and regulations for the protection of fur seals and sea otters in 
the North Pacific and Bering Sea. One vessel of the Bureau of Fish- 
erles also was assigned to patrol waters off the coast of Washington 
during the period of sealing operations by the native Indians. 
Protection of Sea Otters, Walruses, and Sea Lions 
Regulations for the protection of walruses and sea lions were con- 
tinued in effect without change. The capture of these animals is per- 
mitted only under certain limited conditions. Sea otter investigations 
were made at the Amchitka substation, and for the first time observa- 
tions were continued throughout the year. The killing of sea otters 
is prohibited at all times. 
PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND GAME FISHES 
While subsequent revision may alter the totals slightly, it is evident 
that the output of fish and eggs at the Federal hatcheries during 
the fiscal year 1940 approximated 7,400,000,000. In comparison with 
the 8,042,000,000 production of the previous year, there was a reduc- 
tion of approximately 7.9 percent, or 640,000,000 fish and eggs. This 
drop is in part attributed to a curtailment in production of cod, 
haddock, and flounders. Activity with this group is governed by 
weather conditions, and the intensity of local commercial fishery 
operations. Both of these factors were adverse during the winter 
of 1939-40, with a consequent retarding of the hatchery functions. 
The principal reason for the apparent slowing down of Federal 
fish-cultural work was the fact that the production of whitefish and 
pike-perch, hitherto shown as derived from the Put in Bay (Ohio) 
Station, was dropped from the records. This work was taken over 
by the Division of Conservation of the State of Ohio, preparatory to 
the formal transfer of the hatchery property to the State, as author- 
ized by Congress. This station produced its usual quota of these 
two species but is listed as a State activity, and its output is omitted — 
from the Federal records. This situation was, therefore, respon- 
sible for a reduction of 340,000,000 fish and eggs as reported by the 
Bureau of Fisheries, although the hatchery continued its service to 
the fishing industry. 
As a matter of fact 24 different species were distributed in 
increased numbers, among them 6 species of trout and one variety 
of Pacific salmon. Increases were also registered for shad, striped 
bass, buffalofish, and lobster. There was a reduction of approxi- 
mately 1,000,000 in the output of the black basses, which are also 
