Subsistence News-3/1/96

To   Subsistence 2

From:      Larry Roberts

Postmark:  Feb 28,96  1:29 PM          Delivered: Feb 28,96  1:29 PM

Subject: Subsistence News-3/1/96

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Message:

*The Southcentral Regional Advisory Council will hold its spring meeting in Cordova, March 4-6. The major issue under consideration is the rural-non rural proposal for the Kenai Peninsula.

*The Alaska Sea Otter Commission plans to train Native peoples to work with Alaskan sea otter hunters. This effort entails taking samples and measurements from harvests. Funding for the project comes from the Administration for Native Americans. For information: Alaska Sea Otter Commission (ASOC), P.O. Box 83177, Fairbanks, AK 99708 or call 1-800-474-4362.

*Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is legal for Alaska Natives to hunt and use sea otter. However, the ASOC stresses that it is critical for harvesters to limit their take to what is necessary for subsistence and/or handicraft purposes.

*Alaska Natives can sell or trade raw or tanned pelts only to other Alaska Natives. It is illegal to sell raw pelts to anyone except Alaska Natives or registered tanneries.

*The USFWS released a draft “Alaska Native Handicraft Policy” on sea otter, polar bear, and Pacific walrus. It is opposed by the ASOC and Indigenous Peoples Council on Marine Mammals.