The Memorandum will provide a foundation and direction for developing agreements as provided under Section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, between Alaska Native organizations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
"This important co-management tool will promote the sustained health of marine mammal species in Alaska," Dave Allen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director said. "It will also provide a mechanism for the dispersal of funds to support efforts for the co-management of subsistence use of marine mammals in Alaska."
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 established a moratorium on the taking of all marine mammals in the United States, while providing an exemption for the subsistence use of marine mammals for coastal Alaska Natives. In 1994 an amendment to the MMPA included provisions for the development of cooperative agreements between the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and Alaska Native organizations to conserve marine mammals, and provide for co-management with Alaska Natives.
According to Allen, the ultimate goal is to achieve the conservation of marine mammals for future generations, by cultivating and maintaining effective co-management partnerships between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska Natives.
"The signing of this agreement represents the first major step in fully involving Natives in the management and conservation of these resources," said Steven Pennoyer, National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrator. "It is expected that the signing of this agreement will be followed by negotiations leading to specific agreements for cooperative management of each marine mammal taken for subsistence in Alaska."
"The Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of the current administration, continues to support efforts by Alaskans to resolve the subsistence issue," Allen said. While uses of marine mammals are governed by the MMPA, Alaska Natives and the Governors Task Force are currently pursuing efforts to resolve and reunify management of subsistence harvests under the terms of Title VIII of ANILCA.
The signing ceremony will be held during the Subsistence Summit by Alaska Natives on August 27th at 11:45, in the Ballroom of the Anchorage Hilton Hotel.
-FWS-
