REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XXXVII 



ALASKA FTJB-SEAL SERVICE 

 GENERAL ACTIVITIES ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS 



The North American fur-seal herd, which resorts to the Pribilof 

 Islands in Bering Sea, Alaska, now numbers well over 700,000 ani- 

 mals, comprising probably 90 per cent of the fur seals of the world. 

 It produces by far the greater part of the fur-seal skins that enter 

 the fur markets. 



The chief activities in connection with the fur-seal herd center at 

 the Pribilof Islands. Here all sealskins taken by the Government 

 are secured, the work of taking and curing the skins being performed 

 largely by the resident natives under the direct supervision of em- 

 ploj^ees of the bureau. The resident natives number in all about 300, 

 and in return for services rendered to the Government they are pro- 

 vided with houses, food, clothing, schools, and medical attention. 

 In addition, they receive 75 cents in cash for each sealskin taken. 



Transportation for the regular annual shipment of supplies for 

 the islands was provided through cooperation of the Navy Depart- 

 ment on the U. S. S. Gold Star% but small quantities of freight were 

 carried at times on other vessels. Employees were also transported 

 by the Gold Star and vessels of the United States Coast Guard. 



Sealing operations were carried on in the same manner as in the 

 previous season, practically all of the skins procured on St. Paul 

 Island being taken by the stripping method and then blubbered 

 before salting, while on St. George Island the skins were taken as 

 usual by skinning with knives. 



Progress w^as made on both islands in the installation of improved 

 water-supply systems, that on St. George Island being nearly com- 

 pleted. A warehouse was completed on St. Paul Island, and con- 

 siderable work was done on other buildings. 



SEAL HERD 



Computations showed a total of 697,158 fur seals in the herd on 

 August 10, 1924. This was an increase of 44,150 over the figures for 

 the corresponding date in 1923 and is regarded as showing a satis- 

 factory increase in numbers. 



TAKE OF SEALSKINS 



In the calendar year 1924 there were secured on the Pribilof 

 Islands 17,219 sealskins, of which 13,453 were taken on St. Paul 

 Island and 3,766 on St. George Island. 



MARKING OF RESERVED SEALS 



In 1924 a breeding reserve of 8,572 3-year-old male seals was 

 marked by shearing a patch of fur from the top of the head. While 

 marking the reserve of 3-year-old seals it was noted that 3,718 

 4-year-old males appeared. These were given a distinguishing 

 mark to enable recognition during the season. 



