vi DEPARTMEXT OF THE XAVAL SERVICE 



8 GEORGE V, A. 1918 



I. SEA-LIOX QUESTIOX IX BRITISH COLUMBIA, A REPORT BY SPECIAL 

 COMMISSIONERS— (W. IIamar Greenwood, F. C. Xewcombe, and C. McLean 

 Eraser) . 



The report, with thirty-six half-tone illustrations, refers, in its opening pages, to 

 the steps taken in the L'nited States, and the controversies arising out of the late 

 Professor Dyche's studies on the Calif ornian sea-lion (Zalophus), which devours 

 squid, and to the conclusions of the California Commission of 1901, which decided that 

 Steller's sea-lion (Eumetopias) is largely a fish-eater. Dr. Newcombe and his son 

 published, in 1914, a report in which it is stated that, at River's inlet, damage to nets 

 (estimated at $1,600 in 1915). and mutilation of salmon, were the charges laid against 

 the sea-lion; while at Barkeley sound, it was claimed they drove away schools of fish, 

 and devoured enormous numbers of herring and halibut. It is claimed that in 1913, 

 damage to the extent of over $3,000 was done to one British Columbia Packer's Asso- 

 ciation (Wadham's) cannery. 



After a cruise to various localities on D.G.S. Malaspina, securing of evidence from 

 practical men at different points, and after much correspondence and transmission of 

 questionnaires, it was found that the sea-lion, in the opinion of most of the witnesses 

 devoured food fishes, salmon and halibut being most frequently noticed, sockeye and 

 coho salmon, as well as herring and shore fishes, were mentioned, but no dog- or hump- 

 back-salmon. In one instance, dogfish and birds are mentioned as being devoured. 

 The parties who gave information were unanimous in their view that sea-lions are 

 food-fish destroyers, and they were equally unanimous in favour of the killing oft" 

 of tliese animals, and of a government bounty to encourage total extermination. One 

 prominent witness however, said: "Don't kill them off; but strike terror into them". 

 The bands of sea-lions appear in Barkley sound in Xoveraber, and were reported 

 to the commission as being numerous in various inlets early in December. Thirteen 

 were killed at Bird Rocks, a principal resort and hauling ground, and on examining 

 the food, it was found that herrings in a perfect, undamaged condition were found in 

 all of them, as much as two gallons of these fish being mingled with other partially- 

 digested food. Remains of flat-fish, squid, etc., showed the sea-lion to be a bottom 

 feeder, and the finding of the vertebrae of a dogfish (Squalus) suggests that if sea- 

 lions were exterminated, the dogfish might be a still greater pest than they are at 

 present. In 1913, 11,000 sea-lions was estimated as the total number on the B.C. 

 resorts, but there were probably considerably more. 



In 1915-16, a government bounty was paid on 4,000 sea-lions killed, though 8,000 

 (6,000 being pups) was nearer the total number, and some rookeries were entirely 

 destroyed. 



Sea-lions can be utilized in various ways. The flesh yields oil, and guano; and 

 the skin makes excellent leather for gloves, moccasins, and boots. The British Colum- 

 bia (Hove (Company, and other firm?, would pay 5 cents per pound for hides, if 5,000 

 could be supplied with certainty. It is said that sea-lions will bring* about $1,000 

 profit to each hunter for cue month's work in California. The hides, after heavy 

 salting, are usiially tanned in San Francisco. The hide may weigh 150 pounds, and 

 the whole animal from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. 



As to the effect of the Dominion Government bounty ($2 for each muzzle), it 

 did not prove an unqualified success, as the hunters killed sea-lions on rookeries loo 

 far distant to affect the fishing localities, such as River's inlet, etc. The appropria- 

 tion was soon exhausted, and no bounty was obtainable for those men who killed sea- 

 lions nearer at hand, as in Barkley sound. 



Many scientists are not convinced of the alleged serious damage to valuable fish 

 by sea-lions, and further study of their life-history and habits is urgent. In some 

 localities the; chief run of salmon is just after the pupping season, when the sea-lion 



