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ALASKA FISHERIES AND PUR INDUSTRIES IN 1917. 



CENSUS OF THE FUR-SEAL HERD. 



A census of the fur-seal herd of the Pribilof Islands was again taken 

 in 1917. The work was under the immediate charge of G. Dallas 

 Hauna. He was assisted by other members of the Alaska service 

 stationed on the Pribilof Islands, and by Dr. Harold Heath, of Stan- 

 ford University. Transportation between St. Paul and St. George 

 Islands was afforded by the Coast Guard cutter Unalga and by tfie 

 Fisheries steamer Roosevelt. 



The increased size of the herd, together with the relatively much 

 greater increase in the number of male seals, made the work more 

 difficult than in any previous year and radical changes in methods of 

 procedure were necessary. 



For the purpose of showing the numerical strength of the herd in 

 1917 as compared with the five preceding years, the following table 

 of recent censuses of the herd is given: 



General Comparison of Recent Censuses op the Seal Herd. 



The report submitted by Mr. Hanna considers various phases of 

 the problems connected with the management of the herd in addition 

 to the details of the census. Data in regard to the census are pub- 

 lished in another section of this report. 



FOXES. 



The taking of fox pelts in the season of 1917-18 for commercial 

 purposes was begun on both St. Paul and St. George Islands in 

 December, 1917. The take on both islands for the season, including 

 a few skins from animals found dead at various times, consisted of 

 692 blue pelts and 19 white pelts. Information in regard to the 

 operations has been transmitted by radio and is necessarily limited 

 to the more important facts. 



*S'^. Paul Island. — In the week ending December 31, 1917, 74 blue 

 pelts and 8 white pelts were taken, and in January, 1918, the take 

 consisted of 15 blues and 6 whites. A skin secured in April, 1918, 

 from a blue fox found dead may properly be considered a part of the 

 season's take, inasmuch as it became available for shipment with the 

 others. This makes the total for the season 90 blues and 14 whites. 



In the season of 1916-17 there were taken on St. Paul Island 150 

 blue pelts and 37 white pelts (including one of each taken from foxes 



