4 tJ. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



On July 10 Mr. Huston, accompanied by Dr. Stejneger and Messrs. 

 Bower, Baker, and Lindquist, left the Mojave and proceeded to the 

 Pribilof Islands on the Coast Guard cutter Algonquin., arriving at 

 St. Paul Island July 12, having stopped for a few hours en route 

 at St. George Island. Doctor Stejneger and Captain Lindquist 

 left the Pribilofs shortly thereafter on that vessel for the Com- 

 mander Islands via Unalaska for a special investigation of the Rus- 

 sian fur-seal herd. Mr. Huston made a thorough investigation of the 

 condition of the fur-seal herd at the Pribilof Islands and observed 

 administrative methods and various features of the work. Attention 

 was devoted especially to the improved manner of taking sealskins 

 by stripping the pelts from the animals instead of the old laborious 

 skinning by hand. The journey was resumed on the Mojave July 19, 

 arriving at Nome July 21. 



Thereafter visits were paid to Emma Harbor and Anadir, Siberia, 

 where salmon fishery conditions were noted. Although the river at 

 Anadir is large, it does not carry a particularly heavy run of salmon. 

 No canneries were found in that region, and fishing operations were 

 limited to two salteries, the product being destined for Japanese 

 markets. 



The Mojave returned from Anadir to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, for 

 fuel, sailing from that place August 2 and arriving at Bering Island 

 of the Commander group on August 8, where a brief visit ashore 

 was made and Doctor Stejneger and Captain Lindquist were taken 

 aboard. The condition of the fur-seal herd of the Conunander Is- 

 lands is not good; the lack of stable government has proved unfor- 

 tunate in respect to the protection and conservation of the Russian 

 seal herd. Representatives of the Government at Vladivostok were 

 in charge, but their authority was more or less in doubt and they 

 did not know what developments might be brought forth from day 

 to day. Inasmuch as this condition has resulted in lack of supplies 

 for the natives, it is only natural that they should engage in the 

 occasional surreptitious disposal of fur-seal and fox skins. From 

 time to time Japanese cruisers have visited the waters, and it is said 

 that the natives traded skins for supplies. It was understood that 

 in 1922 about 600 fur seals would be taken at the Commander Islands, 

 chiefly for food for the native inhabitants. 



There has been some seal poaching by Japanese schooners around 

 the Commander Islands; in fact, the crew of a Japanese vessel was 

 captured by native guards at Copper Island and was confined in jail 

 at the time the Mojave was in Petropaulski. Subsequent inquiries 

 at Tokyo developed the fact that officials of the Japanese Govern- 

 ment regard this poaching as wholly improper and indefensible. 



The Russian fur-seal herd has declined to probably not over 18,000 

 animals. This matter will be made the subject of a special report 

 by Doctor Stejneger, who had visited the Commander Islands pre- 

 viously in 1882, 1883, 1895, 1896, and 1897. The department con- 

 sidered itself fortunate in securing the services of Doctor Stejneger 

 for this important investigation. 



From August 9 to 11 the Mojave was at Petropaulski on the Kam- 

 chatka Peninsula, where inquiries were made regarding fishery and 

 fur-trade conditions. This is the principal port on the Kamehatkan 

 coast and is the base of salmon fishery operations conducted at four 



