78 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



In the case of the fur seals it is particularly evident that the only way to insure the 

 growth and continuance of this wonderful display of mammalian life is to advocate a 

 policy involving the taking of life. Scientist, conservationist, sentimentalist, or legis- 

 lator, therefore, should view the managment of the fur-seal herd almost solely from a 

 practical business standpoint. 



Laying aside all irrelevant matters of the past and considering the seal herd only 

 as a piece of property to be prudently exploited, we find that simple business principles 

 demand answers to three questions. First, what is the nature and extent of our property ? 

 Second, what is the largest annual yield that can be taken from it consistent with 

 absolute safety ? Third, what immediate provision should be made for the management 

 of the business ? 



THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROPERTY. 



This subject involves much of the matter in the present report and requires only 

 brief consideration in this place. To those familiar with the seal herd during periods 

 of expansion, it may seem small at present, but the observer who sees it now for the 

 first time can not fail to be convinced that it is still a large and exceedingly valuable 

 property. It is true that the herd was once vastly larger than at present. It is true 

 also that the past killing of seals at sea was both reckless and disastrous. But the 

 past is gone and the injection of its issues into the present only serves to obscure the 

 real vital matters which need present consideration. Of the present we know that we 

 have a herd of nearly 300,000 seals under practically complete control on both land 

 and sea. This herd includes not less than 93,000 breeding females producing i young 

 annually, half the young being males and half females, and at most only i male to 35 

 females being required for breeding. A large supply of males from 2 to 5 years of 

 age is already present and a large revenue from the taking of the surplus is assured. 

 Without attempting an exact calculation, it is evident that the productive capacity 

 of the seal herd is equal to that of an enterprise representing an invested capital of at 

 least ten millions of dollars. As such it is worthy of the highest effort for efficient 

 administration. 



MANAGEMENT BASED ON PRINCIPLES EMPLOYED WITH DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



The fur seal is a highly polygamous animal almost wholly controlled by man 

 during the breeding season. It has been subjected to man's disposition for more than 

 a century and shows no tendency to change its habits as a result of his interference. 

 Seals may be driven up, counted, caught and examined, branded, or killed even more 

 easily than range cattle or horses. After being driven they return to their accustomed 

 resorts as if nothing had happened. Except that they have not yet been improved 

 by man, they are scarcely more to be regarded as wild animals than the majority of 

 our domestic species. Their numbers, their breeding, and to some extent their ailments 

 are subject to the control of man. The sexes are born in equal numbers, and a large 

 proportion of the males are superfluous for breeding purposes. It is obvious, therefore, 

 that these superfluous males may be utilized by man just as in the case of domestic 

 animals and that the principles involved are those successfully employed by breeders 

 of live stock. 



