366 



EEPOKTS OF BERING SEA COMMISSION. 



The number of seal skins actually recorded as 

 sold. as a result of pelagic sealing is shown in 



the following table; 



Indiscriminate 

 kiiliu"'. 



t Nuraber estimated from value giveu. 



It can not be denied that in pelagic sealing 

 there can be no selective killing, as far as 

 individual seals are concerned, and only in a 

 limited degree by restricting it as to ^^lace and 

 time. It necessarily follows that female seals 

 must be killed and seals whose skins owing to 

 a<re and condition are much less desirable. ' As 



o 



* The figures for the years 1872 to 1876, inclusive, and 1891, are 

 from tlie London Trade Sales. Those from 1877 to 1887, inclusive, 

 are from the ofticial reports of the Minister of Marine and Fish- 

 erics of Canada, and prohably fall short of the actual catch, he- 

 cause the catch of the United States vessels is not included. The 

 figures for 1888 are from the same source (26,983) plus the United 

 States pelagic catch (9,806), as stated in the Report of the United 

 States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for that year. The 

 figures for the years 1889 and 1890 are from the Canadian Fish- 

 cries Reports, and comprise both the catch of the Canadian Heet 

 (33,570 for 1889 and 44,750 for 1890) and of other vessels which 

 Bold their skins in Victoria, British Columbia (7,428 in 1889 and 

 3,768 in 1890). The catch of American vessels sold in San Fran- 

 cisco is not included. 



