224 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



Frdcis of Replies to Circular of Inquiry emanating from the Department of Fisheries of the 

 Dominion of Canada relating to the Fur-Seal Fishery of the Southern Hemisphere which 

 have been received from Residents in the Falkland Islands. 



Question 1. Whether the decliae or destruction of the fishery is attributable to the 

 slaughter of the seals while on shore at their breeding places, or to their pursuit at 

 large on the circumjacent ocean. 



Honourable J. J. Felton. — The main cause is due to the reckless and indiscriminate 

 slaughter of the seals during their breeding season; the death of the mothers, leav- 

 ing the young to perish, and the numbers who are driven from their resorts bring 

 forth their young in the water, which naturally perish. It has not been the practice 

 to shoot the seals in the water. If so shot, they sink. 



J. J. Goodhart sends cutting from the "Field," which he thinks fully answers the 

 first three questions. 



F. Nilsson. — The decline is to be attributed to the stocking of the land and people 

 taking up their abode in the neighbourhood of the rookeries. 



H. H. Waldron. — The decline in the Southern Hemisphere, including the Falklands, 

 is to be attributed to the indiscriminate slaughter of the females during the breeding 

 season, whereby the young perish. Pursuit in the high seas is not carried on to any 

 extent. 



Question 2. In what manner the fur-seal fishery has been, or is, conducted in each 

 particular locality. 



J. J. Felton. — Formerly, by means of whale-boats ; later on, by cutters and schoon- 

 ers. They would be fitted out for the " pupping" and the "shedding" seasons; as 

 many men would be taken as possible, armed with clubs, spears, and guns, and, 

 landing at the breeding places, they would line the beach and endeavour to turn the 

 seals from taking to the water. If successful in this, the seals fell an easy prey. 

 Has repeatedly heard it said that so many were killed that numbers had become use- 

 less before they could be skinned. Now that the seals have taken to outlying rocks 

 and clifts, the work is less profitable and more dangerous. 



J. J. Goodhart. — See answer to Question 1. 



E. Nilsson. — They have been usually captured by shooting or clubbing. 



Henry Waldron. — By men landed from schooners, who remain on the rookeries 

 until calm weather permits them to be taken off". 



Question 3. Whether any, and, if any, what measures have been taken by various 

 Governments towards the protection of the fur-seal fisheries in their territories, or 

 in places within their jurisdiction; and, further, if any such measures are known to 

 have proved successful in preserving or rehabilitating the fisheries. 



J. J. Felton. — In the Falklands, since the close season was enacted, there has been 

 an increase of seals; but foreign schooners occasionally break the law. 



J. J. Goodhart. — See answer to Question 1. 



F. Nilsson. — Does not see any improvement since the Law enacting a close season 

 was passed. 



H. Waldron. — To the same eff"ect as J. J. Felton. 



Question 4. Generally, any particulars as to the life-history of the animal, its 

 migration, season of bringing forth its young, and habits of the seals while engaged 

 in suckling and rearing the young. 



J. J. Felton. — Does not think the seal migratory. The breeding season is about 

 midsummer, when both male and female make for a suitable place. 



The "shedding" season is in the fall of the year, when they frequent rocks, and 

 the young, which before were valueless, become marketable. 



J. J. Goodhart. — Has not studied the subject sufiiciently to be able to give particu- 

 lars. 



F. Nilsson. — The seal generally is a timid animal, and recedes from advancing civ- 

 ilization, and migrates to any place where it can remain undisturbed. 



H. Waldron. — Owing to keen pursuit, the seals prefer caves and ledges of rocks 

 under high cliffs to form breeding rookeries. The fur-seal hauls up to breed in Jan- 

 uary, the young leaving in May for other rookeries with both "whigs" and " clap- 

 matches."* There is no regular migration, but it is probable that, when hard 

 pressed, they leave the South Shetlands and mainland for the Falklands. "They 

 are peculiar in liking some places for seA'eral years, and then at once going away 

 and not hauling up there again, apparently without cause, in some instances where 



but few were killed and in others quite unmolested." 

 157 When sealers leave carcases on the rocks, seals desert the place. 



Seals will not increase in the Southern Hemis])here until the Chilean and 

 Argentine Governments have a close time and see it enforced. 



(Initialled) V. S. S. 



October 28, 1891. 



* Note. — " Whigs," male seals; "clapnuitches," female seals. 



