Section, acts Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, §7, 32 Stat. 828; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736, vested control over fur seal, salmon, and other fisheries in Alaska in Department of the Interior.
Sections were from act Feb. 26, 1944, ch. 65, §§1–17, 58 Stat. 100.
Section 631e amended by act Sept. 27, 1950, ch. 1056, 64 Stat. 1071.
Sections related to protection of fur seals and other fur-bearing animals as follows:
631a, Definitions,
631b, Pelagic sealing, sealing, or sea otter hunting in certain waters of North Pacific prohibited; use of ports of United States; importing illegally taken skins,
631c, Natives permitted to carry on pelagic sealing or sea otter hunting,
631d, Killing of seals on Pribilof Islands, other islands, and shores of waters under United States jurisdiction; permission to designated Fish and Wildlife Service officers and employees and Alaskan natives; pelagic sealing in emergencies,
631e, Sale of seal or sea otter skins; deposit of proceeds,
631f, Pribilof Islands a special reservation; landing on islands unlawful; penalties,
631g, Employment of Pribilof Islands native in killing seals and curing skins,
631h, Depots for and transportation of provisions from mainland to Pribilof Islands; care of natives,
631i, Investigations as to seal life on the Pribilof Islands,
631j, Persons authorized to enforce provisions of seal fisheries law; powers of arrest, search, and seizure; execution of warrants; forfeiture,
631k, Punishment for violation of law; forfeiture,
631l, Duties of collectors of customs regarding importation of skins of fur seal and see otter,
631m, Seizure of persons or vessels outside of jurisdiction of signatory powers; procedure,
631n, Guard or patrol of waters; composition,
631o, Receipt and disposal of skins by United States,
631p, Killing, capturing, etc., certain fur-bearing animals for scientific purposes,
631q, Secretary's powers and duties; employment of personnel.
Subject matter is covered by section 1151 et seq. of this title.
Section, act Feb. 26, 1944, ch. 65, §19, 58 Stat. 104, limited the duration of the provisions of sections 631a–631q of this title which implement the Provisional Fur-Seal Agreement of 1942 to twelve months after the cessation of hostilities of World War II.
Section 632, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §1, 37 Stat. 499, prohibited killing seal or sea otter in certain waters of North Pacific.
Section 633, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §2, 37 Stat. 500, forbade equipping vessels for pelagic sealing or sea-otter hunting and use of ports of United States by such vessels.
Section 634, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §3, 37 Stat. 500, permitted natives to carry on pelagic fishing.
Section 635, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §4, 37 Stat. 500, prohibited importing illegally taken skins, and forfeiture thereof.
Section 636, acts Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §5, 37 Stat. 500; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e) eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to regulations made by President, and enforcement of law and regulations.
Section 637, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §6, 37 Stat. 501, related to punishment for violation of law, and forfeitures.
Section 638, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §7, 37 Stat. 501, related to presumption as to violations.
Section 639, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §8, 37 Stat. 501, related to venue of prosecutions.
Section 640, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §9, 37 Stat. 501, related to guard or patrol of waters, and seizure and search of certain vessels.
Section 641, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §10, 37 Stat. 501, related to seizure of vessels outside of jurisdiction of signatory powers, and procedure.
Section 642, acts Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §11, 37 Stat. 502; June 22, 1916, ch. 171, 39 Stat. 236; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, which related to delivery by, receipt and disposal of skins by the United States under convention of July 7, 1911, and performance of articles thereunder.
Section 643, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §12, 37 Stat. 502, related to definition of "Pelagic sealing", and construction of "person".
Section 643a, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §13, 37 Stat. 502, related to continuance in force of sections 632–643.
Section 644, R.S. §1956; acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §4, 36 Stat. 327; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; Jan. 13, 1925, ch. 75, §§2, 14, 43 Stat. 739, 747; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, forbade killing of certain fur-bearing animals in Alaska, punishment and forfeiture, power of Secretary of the Interior to authorize killing, and duty to execute law.
Sections 632 to 643a were terminated on the authority of former section 643a of this title when Japan abrogated the treaty on Oct. 23, 1940, eff. Oct. 23, 1941. Sections 632 to 644 were later specifically repealed by act Feb. 26, 1944, ch. 65, §18, 58 Stat. 104.
Section, R.S. §1957; acts June 6, 1900, ch. 786, §4, 31 Stat. 322; Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, §7, 32 Stat. 828; Mar. 3, 1909, ch. 269, §2, 35 Stat. 839; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; Mar. 2, 1921, ch. 110, 41 Stat. 1203; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to jurisdiction of offenses.
Section 646, R.S. §1959; acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §5, 36 Stat. 327; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to Pribilof Islands as a special reservation, and landing on islands unlawful.
Section 647, R.S. §1960; acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §6, 36 Stat. 327; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to regulation of killing of seals on Pribilof Islands, forbade firearms, and regulation of privileges to natives.
Section 648, acts June 22, 1916, ch. 171, 39 Stat. 236; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to killing seals on Pribilof Islands by natives, and disposal of skins by Secretary of the Interior.
Section 649, R.S. §1961; act Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §7, 36 Stat. 328, related to killing female seal or seal less than 1 year old, or killing in waters adjacent to Pribilof Islands or on beaches or cliffs, punishment, and forfeitures.
Section 650, acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §1, 36 Stat. 326; Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 373, §11, 37 Stat. 502; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to killing of seals on Pribilof Islands, regulations, restricted to officers and natives under their direction, and number to be killed.
Section 651, acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §2, 36 Stat. 326; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to sale of sealskins, proceeds, and subsequent treaties.
Section 652, acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §3, 36 Stat. 327; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to employment of natives of Pribilof Islands in killing seals and curing skins.
Section 653, acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §9, 36 Stat. 328; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to depots for and transportation of provisions from mainland to Pribilof Islands, and care of natives.
Termination of section 650, prior to its specific repeal, was done on authority of former section 643a of this title when Japan abrogated the treaty on Oct. 23, 1940, eff. Oct. 23, 1941. For termination of other sections giving effect to said treaty, see note under former sections 632 to 644 of this title.
Section, acts Mar. 3, 1893, ch. 208, 27 Stat. 585; Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, §7, 32 Stat. 828; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §3, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232, related to investigation as to seal life on the Pribilof Islands.
The persons charged with the management of the seal fisheries in Alaska, and the performance of such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Secretary of the Interior, shall never be interested directly or indirectly in any lease of the right to take seals, nor in any proceeds or profits thereof either as owner, agent, partner, or otherwise.
(R.S. §§1973, 1975; Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, §7, 32 Stat. 828; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433.)
R.S. §§1973, 1975 derived from act Mar. 5, 1872, ch. 31, §1, 17 Stat. 35.
R.S. §1973 read as follows: "The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to appoint one agent and three assistant agents, who shall be charged with the management of the seal fisheries in Alaska, and the performance of such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Secretary of the Treasury."
R.S. §1975 read as follows: "Such agents shall never be interested, directly or indirectly, in any lease of the right to take seals, nor in any proceeds or profits thereof, either as owner, agent, partner, or otherwise."
Act. Feb. 14, 1903, transferred jurisdiction, supervision and control over the fur seal, salmon and other fisheries of Alaska from Department of the Treasury to Department of Commerce and Labor.
Act. Mar. 4, 1913, changed designation of Department of Commerce and Labor to Department of Commerce and provided that the Secretary thereof should be called the Secretary of Commerce.
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Reorg. Plan No. II of 1939, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, transferred Bureau of Fisheries in Department of Commerce, and its functions and functions of Secretary of Commerce relating to protection of fur seals and other fur-bearing animals and supervision of Pribilof Islands and care of natives thereof, to Department of the Interior.
Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, §3, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, consolidated Bureau of Fisheries and Bureau of Biological Survey with their respective functions into one agency in Department of the Interior to be known as Fish and Wildlife Service, and abolished office of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries and transferred their functions to the consolidated agency.
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries within the Fish and Wildlife Service as responsible for matters relating to commercial fisheries and to seals, see section 742b of this title.
The agents are empowered to administer oaths in all cases relating to the service of the United States, and to take testimony in Alaska for the use of the Government in any matter concerning the public revenue.
(R.S. §1976.)
R.S. §1976 derived from act Mar. 5, 1872, ch. 31, §3, 17 Stat. 35.
Section, R.S. §1974; act June 10, 1921, ch. 18, §304, 42 Stat. 204, related to traveling expenses for persons charged with management of seal fisheries in Alaska.
Section, acts Apr. 21, 1910, ch. 183, §9, 36 Stat. 328; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, §1, 37 Stat. 736; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433, related to additional officers and agents to enforce seal fisheries law.
All Acts and parts of Acts making it unlawful to kill sea lions, as game animals or otherwise, in the waters of the Territory of Alaska are repealed.
(June 16, 1934, ch. 556, 48 Stat. 976; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 92–522, title I, §113(b), Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 1042.)
1972—Pub. L. 92–522 struck out proviso prohibiting killing of sea lions in waters of Alaska except under rules and regulations prescribed by Secretary of the Interior.
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Reorg. Plan No. II of 1939, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, transferred Bureau of Fisheries in Department of Commerce, and its functions and functions of Secretary of Commerce relating to protection of fur seals and other fur-bearing animals and supervision of Pribilof Islands and care of natives thereof, to Department of the Interior.
Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.