"These draft plans have been developed with the help of many people and organizations and are designed to guide future research and management activities on these important species," said Jon Nickles, Marine Mammals biologist with the Service. "We are urging the public to attend the meeting to share their ideas and comments, so that we can all be a part of managing these species for future generations."
The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 established Federal responsibility for conservation of marine mammals. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Service, is responsible for protecting and managing polar bears, sea otters and walrus in Alaska.
The Act establishes a moratorium on the taking and importation of marine mammals, but contains procedures for waiving this moratorium under certain circumstances. Alaska Natives are exempt from the moratorium and may take marine mammals for subsistence or for creating and selling authentic native handicrafts and clothing, as long as it is done in a non-wasteful manner.
Two components of the Services current marine mammal management program involve marking and tagging and a walrus harvest monitoring program.
"The marking and tagging program has been a forerunner for these management plans," Nickles said. "As caretaker for these animals. the Service strives to do the best possible job of managing them properly so there will always be populations in existence."
The Service will continue to hold public meetings throughout the state during February. Final management plans should be available in early April.
Anchorages meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1993, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the first floor conference room at 1011 East Tudor Road at 7:00 p.m. For more information call 271-2394.
-FWS-
