Agents will also discuss their plans to make random spot checks of returning hunters to determine compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Hunters are reminded that the killing of walrus just for ivory is against the law. This practice by some hunters in the past has caused a lot of public criticism against all hunters. The Fish and Wildlife Service will prosecute those persons who take only ivory, and thereby protect the majority of the hunters who obey the law. Other persons who hunt walrus illegally (i.e., non-native hunters) will also be cited into court and any ivory found will be seized.
Federal Regulations allow the taking of walrus by Alaskan Natives for subsistence as long as it is done without waste. Taking just the head is considered wasteful take. Alaska Natives are allowed to use the by-products of these animals for the creation of traditional Native arts and handicrafts for sale. (Raw ivory must not be sold to non-natives). Non-natives are not allowed to hunt, or take any part in the hunt for marine mammals. Also, non-natives cannot buy, sell, barter, or possess raw marine mammal parts such as walrus ivory without special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (There are special provisions for bones and ivory found on the beach, State tagged ivory, and items obtained before December, 1972). Any person may purchase edible portions of marine mammals sold in Alaska Native villages or towns.
Agreements made several years ago between hunters and Fish and Wildlife Service Agents require the hunters to return with at least the heart, liver, flippers, coak, and the edible red meat of each walrus killed. All of the edible portions of each walrus should be brought back. The requirement that taking of marine mammals be done in a non-wasteful manner was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals on August 19, 1990 (U.S. v Richard L. Clark).
If only the ivory is brought back, the hunter will be cited into court, and could face seizure of the ivory. Special Agents will make checks of returning boats and hunters at various times and locations during the season.
Both walrus and polar bear hunters should be aware that the Special Agents will be enforcing the marking, tagging, and reporting regulations that went into effect in October of 1988. All walrus tusks and polar bear hides and skulls must be tagged within 30 days of kill or acquisition. Untagged walrus tusks and polar bear hides or skulls are subject to seizure and forfeiture. Hunters or other Native Alaskans in possession of untagged walrus tusks and bear hides or skull, should contact the local marine mammal tagger in their village to have the tusks, hides or skulls tagged immediately.
Meetings will be held with various hunter groups prior to the hunting season to further explain the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Any questions are welcome.
Interested persons may obtain further information by calling U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Offices:
In Nome, Special Agent Kim Speckman, 443-2479 In Fairbanks, Special Agent Al Crane, 456-0255 In Anchorage, Special Agent Wally Soroka, 271-2828
-FWS-
