March 16, 2018 — A Senate committee heard Monday from supporters and opponents of state involvement in the management of sea otters in Southeast Alaska.
The Senate Resources Committee held its first hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 13, which calls on the federal government to allow the state or a Native organization to co-manage the rebounding marine mammals and seek ways to increase harvest of otters.
“We’re urging the federal agencies to work with state, Native and local leaders to establish a sea otter management plan to protect the shellfish resources and subsistence availability,” said Sitka Republican committee member Bert Stedman, who sponsored the resolution.
Once nearly hunted to extinction in the region, otters are protected under federal law.
Only coastal Alaska Natives are allowed to hunt them and sell products made from pelts.
The resolution calls on Congress to change the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow expanded use of those pelts.
The measure also urges the transfer of otter management to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game or National Marine Fisheries Service.
Commercial fishing organizations and municipalities have called for the changes to slow the increase in Southeast’s otters because of their impact on shellfish and other sea food.
Commercial sea cucumber diver Stephanie Jurries of Craig told of a rapid loss of fishing areas on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island.