Subsistence News-5/5/95

To   Subsistence 2

From:      Larry Roberts:R10F02A

Postmark:  May 05,95  8:40 AM          Delivered: May 05,95  9:58 AM

Status:    Previously read

Subject: Subsistence News-5/5/95

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Message:

*The Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) has ruled that only Alaska’s rural subsistence users are allowed to harvest musk oxen on the Seward Peninsula. This may result in the State of Alaska dropping plans for a sport hunt there.

*Musk oxen have flourished on the peninsula since they were transplanted there by the state in 1970. Biologists estimate the population to be 925 animals.

*The FSB ruled that aboriginal traditions of musk ox harvest were enough to qualify present day rural residents for subsistence use.

*The State of Alaska law requires a subsistence preference for species that “are” traditionally used. While the federal regulations provide subsistence for species that “have been” traditionally used.

*The FSB granted a subsistence harvest of 24 musk ox from federal lands in the region. This total agrees with the proposed cooperative management plan for the herd, and leaves no animals for a sport harvest.