REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 91 
MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS OF ALASKA. 
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS. 
The wardens and other employees of the Bureau have enforced 
the laws and regulations for the protection of the minor fur-bearing 
animals throughout Alaska. This duty has been performed as efh- 
ciently as the number of the agents permitted. Through the coopera- 
tion of the governor of Alaska the Bureau will be enabled to increase 
its personnel for the protection of fur-bearing animals in Alaska by 
the employment of game wardens in the Territory as special fur 
wardens. In return the Bureau has authorized the governor to ap- 
point a number of its wardens as ex-officio game wardens. 
FURS SHIPPED FROM ALASKA, 
It is indicated by statistics compiled by the Bureau that during 
the period from November 16, 1916, to November 15, 1917, the value 
of the furs shipped from Alaska wag $1,028,719, exclusive of the fur 
seal and fox skins of the Pribilof Islands, as against $911,244 in the 
preceding similar period. In a number of instances there was a de- 
crease in the number of pelts.shipped, but the average price of prac- 
tically all furs showed a material advance, hence the aggregate value 
of the shipments in 1917 was considerably greater than that of the 
previous year. 
Acknowledgment is made of the cooperation of the Post Office De- 
partment in securing accurate statistics of shipments of furs by mail. 
The arrangements in effect for several years were reaflirmed when 
under date of May 4, 1917, the Postmaster General issued an order 
slightly modifying the previous arrangement. It is now the duty 
of each postmaster in Alaska to furnish report blanks prepared by 
the Bureau of Fisheries to persons who present furs for mailing, 
and to see that no furs are sent to outside points until after the 
shipper has filled out the blank. The postmaster signs the blank and 
dispatches the shipment of furs without examining the contents. 
The report is forwarded to the Bureau of Fisheries. 
NEW REGULATIONS FOR PROTECTION OF FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 
The only change made in the fiscal year 1918 in the regulations 
for the protection of fur-bearing animals in Alaska was one ap- 
proved by the Secretary of Commerce under date of March 4, 1918, 
extending the close season on beaver until November 1, 1923. This 
~ change was made at the request of the Bureau, and was based in 
large part on the recommendations of wardens in its service and at 
the solicitation of the governor of Alaska and other persons having 
the welfare of the Territory at heart. 
Beavers in Alaska have been afforded entire protection for a num- 
ber of years and the resulting increase in their numbers has fully 
justified the action of the Department in the past. It was felt, how- 
ever, that the reestablishment of the beaver in Alaska had been local 
rather than general, and that since the colonial habits of the beaver 
make extermination a comparatively easy matter, there should be 
complete protection for a further period of five years. 
