Defenders' Experts
Alaska Sea Otter Management and Policy
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the federal agency responsible for maintaining healthy populations of sea otters. In 2005, the southwest stock of northern sea otters in Alaska, were listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, due to alarming declines in part of the areas encompassing the population range of the southwest stock.
As a result of the listing the FWS assembled a Southwest Alaska Sea Otter Recovery Team. Defenders of Wildlife is one of the representatives.
Comment Letters
Over the years Defenders of Wildlife, sometimes alone, and sometimes in coordination with other groups, has submitted comment letters on a variety of issues pertaining to Alaska sea otters.
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Defenders' comments on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris kenyoni
February 17, 2009 -
Defenders Follow-up comments on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Special Rule for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris kenyoni, allowing for the limited noncommercial import and export of items that qualify as authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing derived from sea otter parts
February 15, 2007 -
Defenders comments on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Special Rule for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris kenyoni, allowing for the limited noncommercial import and export of items that qualify as authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing derived from sea otter parts
October 11, 2005 -
Defenders' comments on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Proposed Rule Amending the Regulations Implementing the Marine
Mammal Protection Act of 1972 that would revise the existing
definition of ‘‘authentic native articles of handicrafts
and clothing"
August 3, 2004 -
Defenders' Comments on Proposal to Designate the Southwest
Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter
Under the Endangered Species Act
June 10, 2004 -
Defenders of Wildlife Comments on the Alaskan Sea Otter Stock
Assessment
June 26, 2002 -
Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Defense Initiative and other
Conservation Groups supplemental comments on Permits to Capture
Northern Sea Otters in Alaska for Display in Japanese Aquaria
September 13, 2001 -
Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Defense Initiative and other
Conservation Groups comments on Permits to Capture Northern Sea
Otters in Alaska for Display in Japanese Aquaria
July 16, 2001
Sea Otter Harvesting by Coastal Alaska Natives
In the United States, the northern sea otter is protected from hunting and harassment by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), with an exemption under the MMPA for Alaska native harvest. Coastal Alaska Natives are allowed to harvest sea otters for subsistence and handicraft purposes. Biologists from the FWS and the U.S. Geological Survey, with assistance from the Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission, monitor the population health and status.
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