Permanent subsistence harvest regulations were published 

 in the Federal Register on 9 July 1986. They authorize a 

 subsistence harvest on St. Paul and St. George Islands 

 between 3 June and 8 August of each year. They also provide 

 that the harvest season may be extended as late as 

 30 September if the Service determines that subsistence needs 

 have not been met by 8 August. The regulations require that 

 the Service make an annual determination of the expected 

 range of harvest numbers on both St. Paul and St. George 

 Islands prior to the harvest each year. For 1986, the 

 estimated range of fur seals needed for subsistence purposes 

 was 2,400 to 8,000 animals on St. Paul Island and 800 to 

 1,800 animals on St. George Island. If the lower limit of 

 the projected harvest range is reached during any year, the 

 regulations require that the harvest be suspended pending a 

 determination by the Service of the need to take additional 

 seals to meet subsistence requirements. The harvest also may 

 be terminated before the lower limits are reached if the 

 Service determines that subsistence needs have been met. 



As required by the regulations, the 1986 harvest on both 

 St. George Island and St. Paul Island ended on 8 August. As 

 of that date, 119 animals had been taken on St. George Island 

 and 1,228 had been taken on St. Paul Island. On 12 August, 

 Alaska Natives on St. George Island requested an extension of 

 the harvest deadline until 30 September 1986. In doing so, 

 they explained that an insufficient number of animals had 

 been taken for storage and consumption later in the year and 

 that it had been difficult to obtain the services of 

 experienced sealers during the regular season because most of 

 them had been working at other jobs. On 21 August 1986, the 

 Service convened a meeting of interested parties to discuss 

 the extension request and, on 2 5 August, the request was 

 granted. 



Shortly after the extension request was granted, there 

 were reports from St. George Island that about 85 dead fur 

 seals had been found. Initial reports that these animals may 

 have been improperly harvested resulted in suspension of the 

 extension. After an initial investigation, it was determined 

 that nearly all of the animals had died from unknown natural 

 causes. The harvest extension was reinstated on 28 August. 

 However, by the end of September, only five additional seals 

 had been taken on St. George Island. The subsequent low 

 number of animals taken reflected, in part, concern that the 

 seals may be contaminated and unsafe to eat. At year's end, 

 no definitive laboratory findings had been made available. 



On 27 August 198 6, the Tribal Government of St. Paul 

 Island requested an extension of the harvest season to take 

 up to 359 additional seals. Once again, the Service convened 

 a meeting of interested parties and, on 2 3 September, granted 



50 



