68 



(the dugongs and manatees) . Most of the species are wide-ranging animals which 

 travel extensively through international waters. Due to their extensive move- 

 ments and distribution and their restriction to a marine environment, with 

 many species breeding in the far north, research on this group has proven to be 

 quite difficult. In recent years, however, there has been an intensification of 

 research effort, with international cooperation in some cases, and man's knowl- 

 edge of this group is now expanding. 



Management needs of the marine mammals vary with the species concerned, 

 as would be expected. In many cases, management is complicated by the animals 

 extensive movements within international waters. With resi)ect to these species, 

 sound management, depends on international cooperation. 



b. Fur seal: 



The Pribilof Islands fur seal ix^pulation is about 1.3 million which is near 

 the number which produces the greatest yearly surplus. These seals are taken 

 only on the PribUof Islands under the direct supervision of the federal 

 government. International treaty forbids the killing of fur seals on the high 

 seas. 



The seal is a commercially valuable animal. Its furs are prized for coats; 

 the meat is consumed both by hiunans and by animals. The annual fur seal har- 

 vest on the Pribilof Islands is virtually the sole source of gainful work for the 

 600 Aleuts who live in its two communities. 



The seal herd of the Pribilofs today is thriving, its number estimated at 1% 

 million animals. Its return from a dangerously low level of 200.000 in 1911 is 

 a historic story in the annals of man's effort to conserve wildlife. ( See Attach. 



1). 



c. Whales and other cetaceans: 



Estimates of the population size of the commercially utilized si^ecies of whales 

 indicate that the populations are low and that they are being taken at near or 

 over the maximvun sustainable level, mainly by countries other than the United 

 States. Those previously utilized and which are now fully protected as endangered 

 species are. of course, also at a low level. However, the federal government 

 through the Departments of the Interior and Commerce has prohibited after 

 December 1971, both the importing of products from whales and the taking of 

 them by U.S. citizens. This is the ultimate unilateral protection possible by 

 this nation. Additional protection must come from other countries. 



Other cetaceans such as the dolphins, porpoises, killer whales, and belugas ap- 

 pear to be at about the optimum jwpulation size. They are little utilized by IT.S. 

 citizens. Small numbers are being taken mainly for live display in aquariums 

 or research purposes. A few beluga and bowhead whales are taken for local 

 use by the Eskimos in Alaska. 



The approximate world population of whales, but based in some cases on 

 limited data, are as follows : 



Blue, 8,000; Fin, 100,000; Sei, 120,000; Humpback, 4.000: Right. 2,000: Bow- 

 head, 1,000; Gray, 11,000; Sperm, several hundred thousand: Killer. 10.000. 



The population size of dolphins and porpoises is not known but probably ranges 

 from 10,000 to 1.000,000 for most species. 



d. Elephant seal and sea Uon: 



The northern elephant seal is thought to number about 20.000 while the Cali- 

 fornia sea lion population is about 50,000. Neither of the.se .species is utilized 

 except for the capture of a few sea lions for zoos and aquariums. The Steller sea 

 lion numbers about 500,000 of which about 5,000 a year are taken by natives in 

 Alaska for food and the hides. Sea lions are resident species under state 

 jurisdiction. 



e. Hair seals: 



Pacific hair seal populations which include the ribbon, ringed, bearded, and 

 harbor seal appear to have stable populations with the exception of the riblx>n 

 seal which has decreased in number through excessive kills by the .seal fleet of 

 the U.S.S.R. in the Chukchi Sea. Population estimates for the.se seals are: 

 bearded— 30,000, ringed— 250,000, ribbon— 150,000 harbor— 200.000. It is estimated 

 that about 25,000-30,000 hair seals are taken annually in Alaska for food and 

 clothing and sale of pelts primarily by Eskimos, Indians, and Aleuts. 



