SEALS AND SEA LIONS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8930, 22 October 1894, Page 5

SEALS AND SEA LIONS.

In the report of Mr James P. Joyce, on the seals and seal rookeries of the Auckland, Campbell and other islands, ib is stated that it is well known there has been poaching, and that there is but too much reason to fear that the number of fur seals is likely to be a continuously diminishing quantity. That they will ever be completely exterminated is nob probable, some of the rookeries being exceedingly differetit of access. The protection extended primarily to the fur seal has, on the other hand, operated most favourably as regards their congeners, the eea lions. These are met with at nearly every point among tiie Aucklauds, and also at Campbell laiaud. In the absence of data as to the commercial value of the animals, the results of the conservation cannot be even approximately appraised, but putting it at the low figure of £2 per head (Musgrove speaks of having tried out as much as thirty-five gallons of oil from a single eea lion), the temptation to poach becomes evident. Formerly only the blubber of thesea lion was deemed of value, but there is reason to believed that the skins could be turned to account, and to set ihe question at rest, it would be only neceaaary for the Government to authorise Captain Fairchild to kill aud bring over to the mainland half a dozen sea lions, the skins of which could be tanned and the carcases treated to the boat advantage.