FUR SEALS AND OTHER LIFE, PRIBILOF ISLANDS, I914. 77 



have resulted. Therefore, there were no sound economic reasons for making large 

 reserves. 



The quotas killed in the decade preceding the abolition of pelagic sealing would 

 not have affected the breeding strength of the herd if they had not been accompanied 

 by the drain of pelagic sealing. It is obvious, therefore, that equally large, or even 

 larger quotas might be permitted in the absence of pelagic sealing with perfect safety. 

 Remembering the great increase of bulls which followed reduced land killing in 1892 

 and 1893, when pelagic sealing was practically at its height, it is impossible to believe 

 that the reduced killings from 191 2 to 1914, with no pelagic sealing whatever, will not 

 produce an overstock of bulls proportionately much greater than that of 1896 and 1897. 



So far as the present management of the herd is concerned, land killing in the past 

 only serves to show that relatively large quotas may be taken. With pelagic sealing 

 abolished, uncertainty in many directions ceases, and action should be governed by 

 the number of seals actually found on the islands. The number to be killed or reserved 

 is wholly a matter of proportions, and all the old ideas of fixed quotas and definite 

 numbers should be discarded forever. These proportions are not the same as they 

 would have been during pelagic sealing, and all that can be said is that in working them 

 out under the new conditions, we are likely to find it possible and advisable to kill on 

 land at a higher rate than when land killings were more than duplicated at sea. The 

 effect of the reduced killings of the last three seasons is to be seen on the islands now 

 by the most casual observer. Young male seals of four years and under are filling the 

 hauling grounds again. According to the estimates, which are ultraconservative, the 

 bachelors in 1914 were as follows: Yearlings, 23,067; 2-year-olds, 17,422; 3-year-olds, 

 13,880; 4-year-olds, 9,939; and 5-year-olds, 1,658; a total of 65,966 young male animals. 

 If only half of them lived, they would provide service for eight years for 989,490 cows 

 at the low ratio of i bull to 30 cows. Of course, the cows can not reach such numbers 

 for many years, so it is evident the reduced killing of the last three years has already 

 provided a great excess of males. 



THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HERD. 

 THE GENERAL POLICY. 



Since the ratification of a treaty between the United States, Great Britain, 

 Japan, and Russia effecting the complete cessation of pelagic sealing the management 

 of the Pribilof seal herd is no longer to be viewed in the light of past conditions ex- 

 cept as they are corroborated by the findings of the present. The way is now clear for 

 the adoption of definite policies, for the acquisition of all necessary information, and 

 for the development of a systematic and businesslike management worthy of and credit- 

 able to the Government of the United States. 



Although sentiment might prevent the absolute extinction of the fur-seal herd, its 

 preservation is principally possible because of its value as the source of an important 

 commercial product. It is doubtful if it could be preserved at all were it not plain 

 that conservation guarantees infinitely larger profits than immediate destruction. 

 Those interested in the preservation of wild life from scientific or esthetic motives are 

 fortunate when the very ends they desire are supported by strong economic reasons. 

 97867°— vol 34—16—6 



