18 DEPARTMENT OF THE XATAL SERVICE 



8 GEORGE V, A. 1918 



The finding of the dogfish remains is especially interesting. Only one of all the 

 eyewitnesses examined mentioned dogfish as an article of sea-lion diet. In recent 

 years the dogfish have been so numerous in Barkley sound during the early part of 

 the herring season that the fishermen find it unprofitable to put out their nets since 

 the dogfish do so much damage to them. It may be only a coincidence, but when 

 the sea-lions come in about the first of November, the dogfish no longer interfere with 

 the nets. The fact that sea-lions do eat dogfish indicates that it might be more than 

 a coincidence. "Without question the dogfish is a greater pest than the sea-lion at the 

 present time. It might be a still greater pest if the sea-lion were exterminated. 



The flatfish remains, as well as those of the squid and devilfish, indicate that at 

 times the sea-lion is a bottom feeder, possibly only in shallow water. The dead clam 

 shell and the stones were likely scooped up when the bottom feeding was being^ 

 carried on. 



From the variety obtained in two of the stomachs it seems as though the sea- 

 lion is not restricted in its diet but that anything will serve, the most abundant 

 material receiving the greatest attention. 



11. INFORMATIOX» BY CORRESPONDENCE. 



While the investigation in the sea-lion haunts was being carried on, the secretary 

 was getting information by correspondence. To facilitate and unify this, a set of 

 questions, accompanied by a circular letter (see appendix), was sent to each British 

 Columbia cannery manager, etc., who was likely to have knowledge of any phase of the 

 question. To these questions a large number of replies were obtained, and these, in 

 general, definitely confirmed the evidence already quoted, and brought out some points 

 Bot previously considered. 



Comparatively few endeavoured to estimate damage to gear, but the total estimates 

 given amounted to over $1,600 for the year 1915. It was scarcely expected that any 

 very definite figures would be given for the value of the fish lost by mutilation or for the- 

 diverted run of fish but a number of replies indicated that in the case of the salmon, 

 the value of the fish lost by mutilation, and in the case of the herring, the value of the 

 loss by diverted run, would be considerable. The only place where any definite change 

 in the number of sea-lions was noted was at Rivers inlet, where there was a definite 

 increase during 1911-12-13, and since then a noticeable decrease. 



None of those directly interested in the fish business could give any definite 

 information as to the value of sea-lions. Such information from otlier sources will 

 be treated separately. 



The correspondents were almost unanimously in favour of complete extermina- 

 tion, to ensure which they wished a Government bounty, none of them feeling able 

 to cope with the situation themselves. That extermination might be as rapid as 

 possible, shooting the adults and clubbing the pups on the rocks soon after they were 

 born in June, should afford the most definite results, although poisoning and other 

 extreme methods were also suggested. These methods would not do very well in 

 Barkley sound where the sea-lions come in late in the fall. As a bounty mark, the^ 

 muzzle seemed to satisfy the majority, although it was also suggested that the mark 

 should be changed from year to year. 



12. KILLING SEA-LIONS. 



Nothing was done systematically towards the killing of sea-lions, except in: 

 Barkley sound, where it has been going on with more or less vigour for several years,, 

 until the year 1914. So much damage was done to the fisheries of Rivers inlet iir 

 1913 (Manager Inrig estimated the loss of gear at Wadham's cannery alone at. 



