58 
FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 
Statement showing the number of seal skins taken on the northwest coast and in Bering Sea, 
by the Canadian sealing fleet and by Indians in canoes, during each year from 1897 to 
19038, inclusive. 
Number of skins taken— 
Number 
of vessels By Canadian fleet. 
Year, in By 
Canadian| North- 7 Indians | Grand 
fleet.c | “west | Betinge | potato in | total 
coast. Sea. canoes. 
41 5, 082 15, 607 20, 689 1,018 21, 707 
35 9, 646 16, 943 26, 589 1,100 27, 689 
26 10,471 23, 282 83, 753 892 34, 645 
37 16, 438 17,513 33, 951 1, 364 35, 315 
39 7,265 10, 362 17,627 1, 263 18, 895 
35 4, 936 5,198 10, 129 1, 343 11, 472 
24 3, 865 8,161 12, 026 765 12,791 
aIn 1897 five vessels took their entire catches from the Asiatic herd and seven vessels a portion of 
their catches. In 1898 and in 1899 one vessel took its entire catch from the Asiatic herd. In 1900 two 
vessels took a portion of their catches from the Asiatic herd. In 1901 eight vessels took their entire 
catches from the Asiatic herd and two vessels a portion of their catches. In 1902 ten vessels took 
their entire catches from the Asiatic herd and one vessel a portion of its catch. In 1903 one vessel 
took its entire catch from the Asiatic herd and five vessels a portion of their catches. Two vessels of 
the 1903 fleet, not included in the number mentioned, were sent to the South Atlantic. 
bThe statistics here given do not include skins taken from the American herd by vessels sailing 
under flags other than the Canadian. The New York representative of Messrs. Lampson & Co. 
reports on the basis of the London sales that the Japanese catch last season amounted to about 11,700 
skins, including skins taken from the American as well as the Asiatic herd. The Asiatic catch of the 
Canadian fleet last season, according to our consul at Victoria, amounted to 1,910 skins. As shown 
in the above table, the Canadian fleet took 12,026 skins from the American herd, to which should be 
added 765 skins taken by Indians in canoes, making a total of 12,791. According to the figures 
quoted, the entire pelagic catch last season in the North Pacific and Bering Sea by Japanese, Canadi- 
ans, and Indians did not reach 27,000 skins. In other words, the catch from the American and 
Asiatic herds together was considerably less than the catch from the American herd alone several 
years ago. 
Statement showing the number of seal skins, male and female, taken on the northwest coast 
and in Bering Sea by the Canadian sealing fleet during each year from 1897 to 1903, 
inclusive. 
Number of skins taken. 
Year. Northwest coast. Bering Sea. aa een, 
Male. | Female.| Male. | Female.| Male. | Female. 
2, 268 2, 819 6, 549 9, 058 8, 812 11, 877 
4,093 5, 553. 7, 595 9, 348 11, 688 14,901 
5, 384 5, 087 9, 567 18, 715 14,951 18, 802 
7,629 8, 809 7,175 10, 338 14, 804 19, 147 
3, 379 3, 886 4, 814 5, 548 8,193 9, 434 
2,612 2, 824 2,470 2,723 5, 082 5, 047 
2,163 1, 702 3, 658 4, 503 5, 821 6, 205 
Statement showing the number of seals, male and female, taken by the Canadian fleet off 
the coast of Japan and tn the vicinity of Copper Islands during each year from 1897 to 
1908, inclusive. 
Off Japanese coast. Around Copper Islands. Entire Asiatic catch by 
Year. Canadian fleet. 
Male. | Female. | Total. Male. | Female.| Total, Male. | Female.| Total, 
3,677 8, 644 7,821 454 928 1, 382 4,131 4,572 8, 703 
201. 3 50 221 189 410 
ener 699 210 489 699 
essa Sania 208 134 74 208 
1,310 3,397 2, 782 2,745 5, 527 
1,580 1, 340 2, 847 2, B24 4, 671 
elavbiacatanairets 1,910 1,072 838 1,910 
