COUNCIL — APRIL 1912 — APPENDIX F — 110 — 



The investigations in question are to be continued throughout a period of 

 some considerable time. 



B. Protocol of the Committee for the Seal question. 

 Tuesday, April 23rd 1912. 



Chairman: Geheimrat Rose. 

 Also present: v. Grimm, Sandmak, Johansen, Dbechsel, Trtbom, Henking. 



Mr. Rose opened the meeting at 5 o'clock, and recapitulated the resolutions 

 from the previous meeting of the International Council. 



Comm. Drechsel laid the answers of the respective Governments before the 

 meeting. Denmark and Sweden declared themselves to be in agreement with 

 the decisions of the International Council as a basis for further negotiations. 

 Likewise Germany. 



His Exc. v. Grimm asked whether the Phoca foetida was to be found in 

 Germany. 



Dr. Henking replied in the affirmative to the question, laying before the 

 meeting a description of the distinguishing marks of the different species of seals 

 to be found in the Baltic, as laid down by Prof. F. Dahl, (Berlin). He stated that 

 very little was known in Germany as to the distribution of the different species. 

 The new common work would in any case give the most valuable information. 

 In Germany the assistance of the authorities, and of the various Fishery Unions has 

 been secured. 



His Exc. v. Grimm informed the meeting that the Duma would bring in 

 a Bill for the introduction of the premium system in the autumn. In all pro- 

 bability the Duma and the Reichsrat would be able to come to an agreement 

 upon this point, in which case the distribution of premiums could commence, 

 dating from May 1913, but not before. This will only affect the Gulf of Finland 

 and Riga Bay, where about 1000 seals are killed annually. 



Dr. Trtbom: In Sweden about 9000 seals are killed every year. 



Dr. Sandman stated, that premiums had already been paid dating from 

 1st January 1909, the number of seals killed during the last three years being 11000, 

 20000 and 15000 respectively. The Phoca foetida always selects firm ice on 

 which to bring forth its young, especially under snow-tunnels between the breathing 

 holes. The young seals take to the water immediately. The Halichoerus grypus 

 lives among the floating ice, bringing forth its young on the ice at the edge of the 



