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REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 109 
permit. In October, 1915, Reginald F. Irwin, a warden, while en- 
gaged in patrol work in southeast Alaska, lost his life. Accompanied 
by two men in a hired boat he left Ketchikan on October 9, and 
several days later his wrecked boat was discovered in the Chickamin 
River. Prolonged and systematic search was at once instituted, but 
no trace of Mr. Irwin and his companions was found and no explana- 
tion of the disaster has been possible. 
Under date of May 24, 1915, revised regulations for the protection 
of fur-bearing animals in Alaska were issued in Department Circular 
No. 246, third edition. These have proved generally satisfactory. 
No special restrictions are put upon the shipping of live fur-bearing 
animals from Alaska or upon the taking of live animals at any time 
for use for breeding purposes. The law does not clearly authorize the 
Department to make the necessary regulations restricting the shipping 
of live animals from the Territory; and owing, apparently, to the 
decreased outside demand for fur-bearing animals for use for breeding 
“purposes, particularly foxes, but few were shipped from Alaska in 
the’ calendar year-1915. This cessation of demand for live Alaska 
fur bearers may be only temporary, and it is very important that the 
Department have authority to make proper regulations in regard to 
the exportation of these animals. It is felt that legitimate fur 
farmers should be permitted to secure breeding animals from wild 
stock in the close season, at least until breeding stock may be obtained 
from other farms. The inability to regulate this matter results in 
abuses which meet with disapproval throughout Alaska. 
_ The marked decrease in the abundance of martens has necessi- 
tated further measures for their protection. The Department has, 
therefore, issued a regulation, effective March 15, 1916, making the 
killing of this valuable animal illegal until November 15, 1921. This 
regulation has met with on approval from persons familiar with 
the facts. It is covered in Department Circular No. 246, fourth 
edition, issued under date of February 1, 1916. 
The value of the furs shipped from’ Alaska in the year ended 
November 15, 1915, exclusive of Pribilof Islands skins, aggregated 
$400,532. All shipments are required to be reported to the Bureau, 
and the returns are believed to be quite complete, owing to the 
effective cooperation given by postmasters, agents of commercial 
companies, and individual shippers. 
In the fiscal year 1916 no additional islands were leased for the 
breeding of fur-bearing animals. The islands now under lease are 
Carlson, Middleton, Simeonof, and Little Koniuji. Shortly after the 
close of the fiscal year there was accepted an offer for the leasing of 
Marmot Island, near Afognak, for a period of five years at an annual 
rental of $200. 
It is regretted that Congress has not yet taken action to relieve the 
Bureau of custody over the terrestrial fur bearers of Alaska. A bill 
to accomplish this purpose was introduced in the House on January 
29, 1916, and referred to the Committee on Territories. No hearings 
have been held thereon, but it is strongly urged that prompt steps 
be taken to terminate the existing arrangement. 
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