232 



September 27, 1971. 



Brief Description of NMFS Fur Seal Research for Fiscal Years 1968 



Through Fiscal Year 1972 



Fiscal year 1968, $263,000 



Conductwl study on population dynamics of fur seals in the Pribilof Islands 

 which included estimates of pups born and of the mortality rate through ages 

 one, two, three and four. 



Studied nutritional requirements of pups 



Continued development of freeze branding as a technique for marking fur 

 seals. 



Conducted pelagic investigations for information on pregnancy rate, the 

 intermingling of fur seal stocks, and conducted food studies. 



Make a cooperative study with Canada in the area of Washington and British 

 Columbia to increase the intensity of pelagic studies in these areas. 



Supported a U.S. observer abroad Japanese pelagic research vessel. 



Fiscal year 1969, $268,000 



Continued a study on population dynamics in Pribilof Islands. 



Continued pelagic investigation on pregnancy rate, the intermingling of fur 

 seal stocks, and conducted food studies. 



Continued development of freeze branding as marking techniques. 



Continued cooperative pelagic studies with Canada in waters off Washington 

 and British Columbia. 



Conducted a task force experiment on alternative methods for killing fur 

 seals. 



Conducted studies preliminary to research on the physiology of death. 



Conducted experimtntal radio tagging of fur seals. 



Made estimates of age composition and mortality rate of adult males. 



Observed USSR research on Commander Island. 



Fiscal year 1910, $265,000 



Continued a study on population dynamics in Pribilof Islands. 



Continued pelagic investigation on pregnancy rate, the intermingling of fur 

 seal stocks, and conducted food studies. 



Continued development of freeze branding as marking techniques. 



Continued cooperative pelagic studies with Canada in waters off Washington 

 and British Columbia. 



Conducted studies preliminary to research on the physiology of death. 



Conducted experimental radio tagging of fur seals. 



Fiscal year 1971, $292,000 



Continued a study on population dynamics in Pribilof Islands. 



Continued pelagic investigation on pregnancy rate, the intermingling of fur 

 seal stacks, and conducted food studies. 



Continued development of freeze branding as marking techniques. 



Continued cooperative pelagic studies with Canada in waters off Washington 

 and British Columbia. 



Conducted studies preliminary to research on the physiology of death. 



Conducted experimental radio tagging of fur seals. 



Initiated monitoring programs for contaminants in marine mammals. 



Fiscal year 1972, $292,000 



Continued a study on population dynamics in Pribilof Islands. 



Continutd pelagic investigation on pregnancy rate, the intermingling of fur seal 

 stocks, and conducted food studies. 



Continued development of freeze branding as marking techniques. 



Continued cooperative pelagic studies \Aith Canada in waters off Washington 

 and British Columbia. 



Conducted studies preliminary to research on the physiology of death. 



Conducted experimental radio tagging of fur seals. 



Initiated monitoring programs for contaminants in marine mammals. 



Supported panel study by members of American Veterinary Association on 

 euthanasia of fur seals. 



