The Behring Seal Fisheries.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4973, 14 May 1891, Page 1

The Behring Seal Fisheries.

The question at. issuo in connection with the Behring seal fisheries is this. The seals inhabit the shores of Alaska, which belong to the United States. During tho breeding season, however, thoy cross' over vo the Pribyloff Islands, which are part of Alaska, but on making tho journey they travel beyond the threornilo boundary within which alono tho jurisdiction of the United States is recognised. For several years past Canadian sealers have been in the habit of intercepting and capturing tho seals as they crossed over to the islands. The American contention is that this is a very wasteful mode of capturing seals, as it destroys tho full-grown animals at tho breeding time, besides which, as they aro shot while in tho sea, it _is alleged that many of them sink and are lost, while the slcins of others aro damaged and rendered valueless. It is asserted that since 1886, when the Canadian incursions into Behring Sea began, the yield has dwindled from 100,000 to 21,000 skins per annum, and that, if the destruction goes on much longer, the seals will be exterminated altogether. It Is further urged that, as tho seals inhabit American territory, thoy ought to bo regarded as American property, and should not be destroyed by foreign fishermen when they liappon to bo temporarily beyond the three-miles limit. Tho United States Government proposed that there should be a closo season for the seals, and the British Government were willing to agree to this proposal, but Canada objected, and the arrangement consequently fell through.