Postmark: Dec 14,95 11:32 AM Delivered: Dec 14,95 11:32 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-12/15/95
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Message:
*The State of Alaska’s draft proposal to end the ongoing subsistence impasse has been widely distributed throughout the state. No federal position has been taken on the proposal. The DOI Alaska Special Assistant, Debra Williams, will meet with Secty. Babbitt on the proposal, as well as the soon to be released draft federal subsistence fisheries regulations.
*Alaska Natives are at odds with both federal and state officials because of restrictions on brown (grizzly) bear surveys. Successful bear hunters in Alaska must, by law, provide bear skulls and certain teeth to biologists for research purposes. Ongoing studies also involve tagging and collaring bears for tracking and identification purposes. Alaska Natives view these practices as degrading and disrespectful to bears. Although the studies and regulations will continue, the first step has been taken to enhance cross cultural communications between Natives and bureaucrats.
*In 1994, 72 Atlantic salmon were caught by Alaskan fishermen. It has been estimated that as many as 32,000 of these pen raised fish escaped that year from British Columbia fish farms. Alaska state officials claim that there is no reason for alarm. Canadians plan to study the issue and determine if Pacific salmon stocks are at risk.
Postmark: Dec 07,95 1:36 PM Delivered: Dec 07,95 1:36 PM
Subject: Subsistence News-12/8/95
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Message:
*The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) authorizes the use of “traditional knowledge” in the making of decisions by the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB).
*The Alaskan general public does not clearly understand that the loss of state fish and game management authority in 1990 was not total, but limited to only federal public lands. The State of Alaska retains authority to manage fish and game on state and private lands. Under the “Katie John” decision the area under federal control has been expanded to include certain navigable waters previously under state jurisdiction.
*Under Section 6(f) of the Federal Subsistence regulations…”a qualified subsistence user may designate another qualified subsistence user to take fish and wildlife on his or her behalf….” The FSB specifically authorized this type of federal permit harvest in southeast Alaska’s Tongass NF for the taking of Sitka black-tailed deer. As of December 1st, a total of 120 designated hunter permits have been issued. This total is 5% of the annual average number of subsistence hunters for the region–2,649.
*”Who uses the most fish and game in Alaska?”…Subsistence, 4%; Sport, 1%; and Commercial, 95%.
Postmark: Dec 01,95 8:15 AM Delivered: Dec 01,95 8:15 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-12/1/95
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Message:
*Fred Clark, Southeast Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Coordinator, reports that the 1996-97 subsistence proposal booklets have been delayed. The public review period for the booklets has now been extended from December 8-January 26.
*Under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), only residents of rural communities qualify for subsistence. On the Kenai Peninsula, this means the communities of Hope, Whittier, Coopers Landing, Ninilchik, Seldovia, Nanwalek, and Port Graham. This also means that about 1,400 people are rural, and 42,000 are non-rural.
*In June the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) held a series of public meetings concerning a proposed subsistence moose hunt on the Kenai. On July 13th the FSB noted the strong opposition to the hunt, and granted only the following communities the opportunity hunt: Ninichik, Seldovia, Nanwalek, and Port Graham.
*Though rural and non-rural hunters were able to hunt this year for moose on the Kenai Peninsula, neither rural or non-rural hunters were satisfied.
*Round Island, within Bristol Bay, was opened this year to limited subsistence walrus hunting. Natives report it’s the first time in 30yr.
