116 



U. S. BUEEAU OF FISHERIES. 

 Average Harem in 1920 for all Rookeries. 



1 Estimate. 



2 Pups counted. 



LOSSES OF BULLS AND YOUNG MALES. 



In 1911 and 1912, Avhen legislation was proposed which would 

 prohibit the killing of the surplus males of the fur-seal herd on land, 

 the principal objection raised was that a vast oversupply of breed- 

 ing males would result. In view of the fact that commercial opera- 

 tions were curtailed for six years, it will be profitable to review con- 

 ditions from the standpoint of the effect of the class on the herd. 



The law which established the closed period of 1912 to 1917 became 

 effective on August 24 of the former year. The action had been 

 anticipated, however, and, since the intention of Congress was 

 obvious, it was put into effect in the killing season of 1912. This 

 made the closed period cover six seasons. It will be recalled that 

 the herd had been reduced to its lowest point during American own- 

 ership in 1911 through the activities of vessel killings at sea. The 

 major portion of the pelagic catch consisted of females. The surplus 

 males w]) to 1910 were taken on land by private corporations which 

 liad leased the privilege, and in 1910 and 1911 by the agents of the 

 Government. Under those methods over 95 per cent of the males 

 were removed and there were left for breeding an average of ap- 

 proximately 1 male to 60 females. Investigators generally agreed 

 that this ratio was sufficient. 



On account of the low figure to which the herd had been reduced, 

 however, it was feared that the vitality of the species had been 



