REPORT OF THP2 COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XXXVH 



MARKIXG or RESERVED SEALS 



As stated in the last annual report, the marking- of 3-year-old 

 reserved male seals was undertaken in the season of 1028. About 

 5,000 were marked by a permanent brand and 5,000 by shearing a 

 patch of fur from the head. The markinii; of seals removes any 

 question that might be raised as to compliance with the law which 

 requires tlie reservation of not less than 5,000 o-y ear-old nuile seals 

 €acli yeai-. 



In the season of 19-24 it was decided that the shearing method 

 would ansAver all requirements in the ntarking of a reserve. A total 

 of 8,572 o-year-old males has been so marked and will thus be set 

 aside for the establishment of a sufficient l)reoding reserve. 



SALES OF SEAIjSKIXS 



In ilie fiscal year 1924 there were held two public auction sales of 

 fur-seal skins taken at the Pribilof Islands. The first sale was at 

 St. Louis on October S, 192-), when 2,736 skins, all dressed, dyed, 

 and macliined. were sold at a gross price of S^G.Oll. and 30 con- 

 fiscated skins brought $292. .lO, At tliis sale only 2,736 skins of the 

 14,756 olieied were permitted to be sold, owing to the low bids made. 

 The second sale was held at New York on ^ larch 24, 1924, at which 

 time 19,804 dressed, dyed, and machined skins and 11 washed and 

 dried skins were sold for $514,518. At this sale there were also 

 sold 3 skins taken from seals shipped in 1923 from the Pribilof 

 Islands to the Steinhart Aquarium and which subsequently died, as 

 well as 35 confiscated skins, the latter bringing $45.50. 



The United States Government's share of fur-seal skins taken by 

 the Japanese Government on Robben Island in 1922 was 60 skins. 

 These skins, after having been dressed, dyed, and machined, Avere 

 sold at public auction as follows: October 8, 1923, 27 skins at $20 

 each. $540: and ^larch 24. 1924, 33 skins at $17 each, $516. 



FOXES 



The commercial importance of the blue-fox herds of the Pribilof 

 Islands has long been recognized. It has also been felt that these 

 herds were susceptible of considerable expansion, particularly on 

 St. Paul Island. Early in 1923 the bureau secured the services of 

 a foxing expert who had previously been employed by the United 

 States Bureau of Biological Survey, and detailed him to the Pribi- 

 lofs for the primary purpose of studying and developing the herds. 

 Particular attention was given to the feeding of foxes on St. Paul 

 Island during the winter reason of 1923-24. 



The 888 blue and 29 white fox skins taken at the Pribilof Islands 

 in the season of 1922-23 were sold at public auction at St. Louis on 

 October 8, 1923. the former biiiioing $91,382 and the latter $1,334, a 

 total of $92,716. 



In the season of 1923-24, 802 fox skins were secured, of which 46 

 blue and 14 white skins came from St. Paul Island and 741 blue 

 skins and 1 white skin were taken on St. George Island. The take 

 <nn St. Paul Island was intentionally limited in order to provide a 



