The Nome Nugget

U.S. Ratifies Four-Nation Seal Convention

(Washington News Letter)

By Mary Lee Council

Secretary to E. L. Bartlett,

Delegate to Congress from Alaska

The Senate recently ratified a convention agreed to by the U.S. Japan, Canada and Russia relating to the hunting of seals on the open seas and establishing a joint research program to permit the parties to reach a permanent agreement.

The program, which would be effective for six years, includes the establishment of a commission comprised of one member from each country under whose jurisdiction research would be undertaken. The interim convention obligates each party to prohibit pelagic sealing in the Pacific Ocean north of the 30th parallel of north latitude by any person or vessels under its jurisdiction, except for the specifically defined purposes of research provided in the convention.

In 1911 the four countries entered into an agreement for the conservation of fur seals which was ended in 1941 by Japan. Prior to then, Japan and Canada received 15 percent each of the gross take of the seal industry on the Pribilof Islands, with the United States retaining 80 percent.

Under the new convention, Canada and Japan will each receive 15 percent. The seal take by the Russians on its Commander Islands and Robben Island will be divided, with Japan receiving 15 percent, Canada 15 percent, and Russia retaining 70 percent.