26 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



12 twenty-nine, and in 1891 fifty vessels were employed 

 ill it. So far as known, the first of tliese vessels to 

 enter Beliring- Sea for purposes of sealiiif^- was the " Mary 

 Ellen," in 18S4. In 1885 two of the British Columbian 

 vessels continued their voyage into Behring Sea, and in 

 the following- year the entire fleet, then luimbering eighteen 

 vessels (excepting two which were wrecked), did so. 



The fifty vessels emi^loyed in 1891 were provided with 

 oTO boats and canoes, and were manned by 1,083 Whites 

 and Indians. 



G8. The TUimber of skins thus obtained grew in propor- 

 tions corresponding to the growth of the fleet from 3r),.3I0 

 in 1889 to 43,315 in 1890, and to 49,615 in 1891. Only a 

 portion of these catches were, however, made within Beh- 

 ring Sea, and of this portion an increasing percentage was 

 obtained in the westeru region of that sea. 



69. At least one vessel registered in the United States is 

 First pelagic kuowu to have entered Behring Sea for legitimate pelagic 



ringsfiea" ^*^^ sealing as early as 1881, and, in this particular extension 

 of the industry, the British Columbian sealers cannot 

 therefore claim to be the pioneers. 



70. The United States have for many years past strenu- 

 ously endeavoured to build up native maritime industry. 

 In this pelagic sealing they undoubtedly have on the 

 Pacific coast a useful nursery for seamen. The industry 

 of whaling has shown a serious falling-off in recent years, 

 but that of sealing has exhibited a marked and steady 

 increase. In 1885 there were not ten vessels so employee!. 

 In 1891 the sealing fleet owned in the United States num- 

 bered more than forty vessels, and the value of the catch 

 is reported to have exceeded 30,000Z. 



(D.) — Additional points connected with dealing at Ben> or 

 on Shore. 



sefveTonPriby- ^^" "^^^^ decrcasc iu the number of seals resorting to the 

 .,11 isiau.is. Pribyloft" Islands is reported to have been more rapid since 

 1886 or 1887, and this has been attributed to the growth of 

 pelagic sealing. At the same time, the chief complaint 

 has been that a great proportion of the seals taken at sea 

 are females, whereas the most noticeable decrease observed 

 on the islands is in nmles. While, therefore, it may be 

 admitted that pelagic sealing must be held accountable for 

 its share in the total eftect, the above mentioned incom- 

 patible complaints cannot be received without question. 

 When a decrease became apparent on the islands, pru- 

 dence should have dictated some curtailment of the annual 

 slaughter there in correspondence with the effect of the 

 new factor tending towards diminution. 

 Measuresprac- 72. ISTo sucli Curtailment, however, occurred. The Corn- 

 quota " " ' '^'"pany holding the lease of these islands on fixed terms were 

 not interfered with, but continued to take their full legal 

 quota of skins without regard to the risk to seal life as a 

 whole. Not only so, but instead of redu'-ing the catch, 

 the standard of weight of skins taken on the islands was 



