146 THE FUK SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



Of the two methods of killing the seals at sea the spear is the surest aiid results 

 in the least waste. Both methods have their special fields, however, and the 

 regulations under which pelagic sealing is now carried on, as if designed expressly 

 for the pelagic sealer, recognizes them clearly. Thus, when the seals are on their 

 migrations and consequently alternately traveling and resting both firearms and 

 spears are allowed. For the traveling seal the gun can be used; for the sleeping 

 seal the spear. On the feeding grounds in Bering Sea only the spear is allowed. 

 There the animals are found almost exclusively sleeping or feeding. The noise of the 

 gun would be a positive disadvantage, as it would startle all the seals in the vicinity. 

 From the point of view of the herd both methods are deadly, the difference being 

 merely one of degree. 



NORTHWEST COAST SEALING. 



Pelagic sealing is carried on in two distinct areas and at two distinct seasons. 

 While the seals are on their return migration along the American shore they are met 

 by the pelagic fleet off the coast of California at about the latitude of Point 

 Conception. From here northward to the vicinity of Middleton Island the herd is 

 followed by the pelagic fleet. Formerly seals were also taken along the coast of the 

 Alaskan peninsula to the passes by which they entered Bering Sea. At present 

 the closed season begining in May shuts off this catch. 



BERING SEA SEALING. 



In Bering Sea sealing is carried on in the summer feeding grounds of the fur 

 seals. These grounds are located from 100 to 200 miles distant from the islands and 

 lie chiefly to the westward and southward in the deep water off the 100-fathom curve. 

 They are frequented chiefly by the female seals which leave the rookeries at regular 

 intervals during the summer to feed, returning to nourish their offspring. 



It is not necessary here to go into greater detail regarding these matters nor to 

 mention the sealing grounds of the Commander Island herd. These matters are all 

 taken up in detail by Mr. Townsend in a special paper which appears elsewhere in 

 Part III of this report. 



THE PELAGIC CATCH. 



In the statistical appendix to the present volume will be found a detailed table of 

 the pelagic catch from the various hunting grounds. From this table we may here 

 give the following summary: 



Total pelat/ic catch in all waters, 1868-1897. 

 Pribilof herd: 



Northwest coast 395, 880 



Bering Sea 240,908 



636, 788 

 Commander herd : Japan and Russian coasts 256, 259 



Total 893,047 



