32 



COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1905. 



to the United States in 1867 the Russians took from these islands 

 3,354,478 skins. In 1870 the Alaska Commercial Company secured 

 from the Government the exclusive right to kill fur seals on the islands, 

 and retained this right until 1890, when it was succeeded by the North 

 American Commercial Company, which is still in possession. The 

 decrease in the number of seals since 1867 has been enormous. It is 

 estimated that in 1867 the herd numbered about 5,000,000, while in 

 1905 it was only about 200,000. A considerable part of this decrease 

 is attributed to the killing of female seals by the pelagic sealing ves- 

 sels. On their way to the breeding grounds the seals follow the coast 

 line from Santa Barbara Channel northward and throughout this jour- 

 ney they are eagerly sought by the pelagic sealers. A little measure 

 of relief to the harassed herd was extended by the decision of the Ber- 

 ing Sea Arbitration Tribunal in 1893, but the slaughter was soon 

 resumed. The table below shows the catch of fur seals from 1867 to 

 date both on the islands and from pelagic and other sources, presum- 

 ably within Alaskan waters. The values given are those received in 

 London at the great auction sales held there several times each year. 



Fur-Seal Skins Obtained from the Seal Islands and from Pelagic and Other 

 Sources, All in Waters of Alaska, 1868 to 1905. 



