Marine Mammal Regulations for Sea Otter

1.) WHO MAY HUNT SEA OTTERS?

Individuals who are ¼ blood quantum Alaska native residing in the Alaska on the coast of Alaska.

2.) IS THERE A HARVEST LIMIT FOR SEA OTTERS?

Alaska Natives (1/4 blood Quantum) who reside on the coast of Alaska may harvest Sea Otters for subsistence purposes or for creation of Native articles of handicraft or clothing if the harvest is not wasteful.

A native must be ¼ or more blood quantum

It is Illegal for a person who is not native to actively participate in any manner of hunting Sea Otters.

Alaska Natives are not limited by federal law in the number that can be harvested, if the harvest is not wasteful. The number killed should be limited to what can be utilized.

Sea Otters can be hunted anytime during the year, check with local tribal entities or the Alaska Sea Otter Commission for guidelines on Sea Otter hunting.

3.) IS THERE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SEA OTTER HUNTERS?

“Hunters must present the hides and skulls to the Fish and Wildlife Service representatives for tagging. Hides and skulls must be tagged BY THE HUNTER within 30 days of the kill. The hide and skull must be thawed when tagged to. A.) Allow an unbroken pre-molar to be extracted for aging; B.) Allow for the skull to be measured; C.) Allow the hide to be examined to determine the sex. Flipper tags and transmitters must be given to the tagger.”

 4.) WHAT MAY BE SOLD AS A NATIVE HANDICRAFT?

“Authentic handcrafts may be sold to a non-native. This means items composed of a significantly altered pelt that is wholly or in some significant respect made of natural materials and produced, decorated, or fashioned in the exercise of traditional handicrafts without the use of pantographs, multiple carvers, or other mass copying devices. Traditional handicrafts include but are not limited to weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, and painting.”  The intent of the “SIGNIFICANTLY ALTERED” wording is to ensure non-natives do not possess a whole hide.

5.) ARE THERE OTHER LEGAL USES OF SEA OTTERS?

It is not required to Harvest the meat but “other edible parts may be sold in a Native Village or is sold to an Alaskan Native.”

6.) MAY RAW (TANNED OR UN-TANNED) HIDES BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED?

“Only to an Alaska Native within Alaska or to a registered agent for resale or transfer to an Alaskan Native within Alaska. It is illegal to give as a gift, trade, or sell either tanned or un-tanned hides to non-Natives.” Un-tanned hides can be transferred to an

Alaska Native only after they have been tagged by the hunter.

7.) HOW MAY A NATIVE HAVE A HIDE TANNED?

Natives may have sea otters tanned by taxidermists or tanneries which have a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Sea Otter hides must be tagged in order for the Tannery to tan the hide. Individuals sending hides for tanning may wish to include a signed and dated statement indicating they are native and may possess the hide. A copy of documentation stating native blood quantum can be sent with the hide.

8.) MAY SEA OTTER HANDICRAFTS OR CLOTHING BE EXPORTED?

“Handcrafted sea otter products may be exported to a foreign country. However, the exporter must first obtain a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service. A CITES permit is not required for sea otter handicrafts that are personal items if they are worn, or carried out in accompanying baggage, however, a U.S. Customs Service Declaration form should be completed prior to taking any marine mammal product out of the country if it is intended it will be brought back by the same person. Exporters should inquire about foreign import restrictions, since some countries may not allow the importation of handcrafted sea otter products.”

9.) MAY SEA OTTER HANDICRAFTS OR CLOTHING BE IMPORTED?

 “Sea Otter handicrafts may not be imported for commercial sale. Any person may re-enter the U.S. with sea otter handicrafts that are personal items which were exported under the declaration form. Alaska natives may also import sea otter handicrafts if they were acquired outside of the U.S. as part of a cultural exchange.”

INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM THE

United States Fish and Wildlife Service File:     http://www.alaska.fws.gov/law/pdf/seaotter.pdf.