20 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL SERVICE 



8 GEORGE V, A. 1918 



Consider the case of Solander island for example. In the investigation by Dr. 

 Neweombe in 1913, since at times there were no lions whatever visible, doubt was 

 expressed as to its being a rookery (there is now conclusive evidence that it is), 

 although at other times upwards of one thousand were seen there. Even when a 

 thousand of them were on the rocks there may have been many more scattered about, 

 actively feeding or in search of food. 



Taking it for granted, therefore, that 11,000 was a fair estimate in 1913 for the 

 number of sea-lions that could be seen at the rookeries and hauling-out places, it is 

 evident that to this number, an addition must be made, amounting to an unknown 

 percentage of the whole number, to get at the total number in British Cokimbia waters. 



13. COMMERCIAL USES TO WHICH SEA-LION CARCASSES MIGHT BE PUT. 



From evidence of manufacturers and sea-lion hunters the suggestion was con- 

 veyed to the commissioners that there was an economic and commercial value in sea- 

 lion hides, whiskers, and carcasses. Under the bounty system the whole carcass of a 

 sea-lion, with the exception of the muzzle, is disregarded, thrown into the &ea, or left 

 on the rookeries or hauling-out grounds to putrify, so far as any effort is made by the 

 Government to utilize it. Much time was spent and many persons interviewed in 

 obtaining definite information as to the feasibility of utilizing sea-lion carcasses for 

 commercial purposes, with the happy result, however, of its being demonstrated that 

 the hide of a sea-lion is eminently suitable for tanning into leather, from w^hich 

 durable and serviceable gloves and boots to-day are being made; that the whiskers 

 have a value of 25 cents a piece to Orientals; and that the flesh can be rendered into 

 oil and guano, for which a good market is ever available. While it was impossible, 

 owing to the short time at the disposal of the commissioners, to investigate this side 

 of the problem in an exhaustive manner, on account of the great distances from 

 Vancouver and Victoria to San Francisco and New York, where comiprehensive and 

 accurate corroboration of the commercial uses of the carcasses of sea-lions can be 

 obtained, yet sufficient evidence was discovered to point to the conclusion that in 

 killing sea-lions the economic value of their entire carcasses should be taken into oon- 

 ^ideration, so that, if it were found possible and feasible, then the monetary returns 

 from the disposal of the carcasses in the form of hides, whiskers, oil, and guano 

 would at least equal and possibly, with care, exceed the amount of the bounty offered 

 by the Government. It is in the mind of the commissioners that if such a consum- 

 mation could be reached, a real service to industry and the country could be rendered. 

 It is in this direction that the commissioners desire to pursue their inquiries during 

 the coming year. 



What turn that inquiry might take is indicated by the fact that Mr. W. F. 

 Robinson, president of the Robinson Fisheries Company, manufacturers, producers, 

 and distributors of fish oil and fish fertilizer, Anacortes, Washington, writing to the 

 commission under date of August 11, 1915, says : " We have never yet had the car- 

 casses of sea-lions to use in our fertilizer plant, but could do so if we had them, as 

 we understand they grow to a very large size. Unless the expense of obtaining the 

 sea-lions is too great, or your works are not near the source of production, we believe 

 they could be handled to advantage." 



Messrs. Anderson and Miskin, 448 Seymour street, Vancouver, in answer to an 

 inquiry from the commission, wrote the following letter, in which it is understood 

 that the oil from the sea-lions corresponds to seal oil: — 



" Replying to your telephonic inquiry re our requirements of seal oil, we 

 are buyers of the same quality as is produced in Newfoundland from the 

 blu'bber of the young harps (hair seal). It is principally used in miners' lamps, 

 and must be free of moisture. If we get the right quality, we can use 500 to 



