REPORT OF AMERICAN COMMISSIONERi^. 345 



therefore, that th.e reduction in ninnbers orio'i- Effect of de- 

 crease of leniales 

 nated in and is to be attributed to the loss of on male life. 



female seals. 



CAUSES. 



If the above representation of the conditions of where decrease 



'■ of seals should be 



seal life at the present time be accepted as correct, sought. 

 the determination of causes is practically limited 

 to the* discovery of the origin of the increased 

 mortality among female seals. 



It is our belief that the decadence of seal life Canse, pelagic 



sealing. 



on the Pribilof Islands is due to the destructive 

 effects of pelagic sealing. 



As widely different opinions are held on this Reasons for 



•^ ^ opinion. 



point we will present at some length the principal 

 reasons upon which our belief is founded. 



In the ioint report of the Commission it is , Decrease caused 



•) ^ by man. 



agreed that the diminution in the number of 

 seals is to be attributed to the operations of man. 

 As man comes in contact with the fur-seal in 

 only two ways, that is, in pelagic sealing and seal- 

 ing upon the islands, it follows that in one or the 

 other or in both of these operations the injury 

 must be inflicted. 



In order to enjoy a clearer view of the problem condition of 



herd untouched by 



it will be desirable to consider for a moment tLe man. 

 conditions under which a herd of seals assumes 

 its normal dimensions, uninfluenced by the pres- 

 ence of man. 



2716 44 



