XXVIII EEPOltT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



ALASKA rUR-SEAL SER\T:CE 



The number of fur-seal skins taken at the Pribilof Islands was 

 afjain materially larger than in the preceding year, and increased 

 takes may reasonably be expected annually in the future. The con- 

 stant growth in the fur-seal herd, as a matter of course, will be re- 

 flected in larger numbers of surplus males available for commercial 

 use. Close attention was given to the fox herds on the Pribilof 

 Islands, the work being incidental to sealing operations and produc- 

 tive of considerable revenue both to the Government and to the 

 natiAe inhabitants. 



The work of constructing improved roads to shorten seal drives 

 and facilitate transportation of the sealskins from the killing 

 grounds to the salt houses was retarded somewhat as a result of the 

 late spring, the presence of ice about tlie islands delaying the de- 

 parture of temporary native workmen from Unalaska to assist in 

 this project. A late start likewise was made in the construction of 

 new buildings and other improvements, but fair progress was made 

 during the season. Several houses for natives on both islands were 

 completed, as well as a dwelling for white employees, a warehouse, 

 and additions to the schoolhouse and garage on St. George Island. 

 Some of these structures were begun in 1926. 



Schools and medical service, in addition to food, fuel, clothing, 

 and shelter, were provided for the native population of the islands, 

 which now numbers 358 persons. In return, the natives perform 

 the general work under the supervision of a staff of white employees. 

 Special compensation was made, as heretofore, in the way of cash 

 payments of 75 cents for each sealskin and $5 for each fox skin 

 taken. - 



Through the cooperation of the Navy Department, the annual sup- 

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

 on the U. S. S. Vega, and the fur seal and fox skins then ready for 

 shipment were brought to the States on the return voyage. Valu- 

 able service was rendered by the Coast Guard in connection with the 

 fur-seal patrol. 



SEAL HERD 



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

 herd on August 10, 1927, was 808,870, an increase of 47,589, or 6.25 

 per cent, over the corresponding figure for 1926. 



TAKE OF SEALSKINS 



In the calendar year 1927 there were taken on the Pribilof Islands 

 24,942 fur-seal skins, of which 19,000 were from St. Paul Island and 

 5,942 from St. George Island. This was an increase of 2,811 over 

 tile number taken in 1926. Aside from a few animals accidentally 

 and unavoidably killed, commercial killings of fur seals were limited 

 to 3-year-old males and 1,000 2-year-old males, the latter being taken 

 to determine comparative values of skins from fur seals of these 

 ages. 



