126 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



feet long is noted. A number of halibut taken in September, 1891, weighed from 50 to 

 100 pounds each. In 1892, rnany cod were taken during May, the first of the season 

 being caught on May 19. In September, 1901, two natives took 29 halibut in two days. 

 In more recent years, extraordinary catches of halibut are recorded on August 6, 1908, 

 and good catches of cod, halibut, and sculpins, on November 10, 1910. During the 

 summer of 191 4 many very fine halibut and some cod were taken off East Landing on 

 several occasions. 



As regards St. George Island, fewer records are at hand. The fishing places are 

 more accessible than the St. Paul stations, and being closer to shore the fishermen are less 

 exposed to danger from foggy weather and sudden storms, and the chances for success 

 seem to be rather better than on St. Paul. Mr. G. Dallas Hanna, on June 8, 1914, on a 

 trip which took four hours, including the time consumed in the round trip to the fishing 

 grounds, caught on one hook 90 pounds of cod and 100 pounds of sculpin. On June 

 20, 1914, on a similar trip of five hours, he took on one hook 120 pounds of cod, 80 

 pounds of sculpin, and 60 pounds of halibut. 



The success which attends the fishing as conducted at present seems to warrant the 

 prediction that with systematic exploitation the fishery will prove of considerable 

 value. The establishment of a cold-storage plant, which is needed for many reasons, 

 would insure the economical utilization of the product. During the year ended June 

 30, 1914, over 4,000 pounds of canned and salted salmon, in addition to a great quantity 

 of preserved meats, all of which were of course imported, were consumed by the natives 

 of the two islands. There seems reason to believe that this amount can be materially 

 reduced by better utilizing the resources of the sea. Fish is relished by the foxes also, 

 and as it has been proven by experiment that it can be easily dried on the islands, the 

 use of the poorer part of the product for this purpose may prove feasible. All things 

 considered, it seems certain that in the more systematic development of the resources 

 of the islands which is demanded, the fisheries will prove of considerable value. 



INTRODUCTION OF NEW ANIMALS. 



The occupation of the Pribilof Islands by man early led to the introduction of 

 various domestic animals, the presence of which has been of considerable advantage to 

 the inhabitants. Another class of animals requiring consideration are those intended 

 to furnish food for the foxes. Since the killing of seals has been limited to the number 

 actually necessary for the support of the natives, the resulting hardship to the foxes 

 has led to recommendations regarding the introduction of various small species which 

 it was thought might supplement the reduced food supply of these valuable animals. 

 Some experiments on a small scale have been attempted, but no success has as yet been 

 achieved. It should be noted that in the consideration of t,he various species which 

 might prove useful for this purpose, the important fact has been overlooked or dis- 

 regarded that the Pribilof Islands are called upon to support a fox population far in 

 excess of the normal. In a state of nature, a white or blue fox requires several square 

 miles of territory for its support, while on the Pribilof Islands there are many foxes to 

 each square mile. It is plain that any animals introduced here for fox food would need 

 to become exceedingly abundant to be of any material benefit, and that while gaining 

 a foothold they would have to contend against enormous odds. With the full signifi- 



