4) identify and initiate the types of periodic, long-term survey 

 and sampling programs necessary to detect and monitor changes 

 in key populations parameters; 5) improve reporting and 

 verification of the species, number, ages, sex, reproductive 

 status, stomach contents, and general condition of marine 

 mammals being caught and killed in Alaska fisheries, and the 

 nature and extent of fish loss, fish damage, and gear damage 

 being caused by marine mammals; 6) obtain more reliable 

 information on the key food species, habitat reguirements, 

 and essential habitats of polar bears, beluga whale, walruses, 

 ice seals, and sea otters, and how these species and the species 

 they depend upon for food may be affected by noise, oil spills, 

 drilling muds, and other contaminants or disturbance produced 

 by exploration, development, and transport of oil and gas; 

 7) identify and evaluate the feasibility, cost, and likely 

 effectiveness of possible means for establishing and maintaining 

 sea otters in designated zones so as to enhance sea otter 

 protection and minimize the impacts of sea otters on crab and 

 shellfish fisheries; 8) determine and monitor levels and sources 

 of heavy metals and other contaminants present in Alaska marine 

 mammals, particularly those species eaten by Alaska Natives; 



9) continue and improve statewide information and education 

 programs to ensure that Native hunters are aware of: relevant 

 statutes and regulations regarding the reporting and collection 

 of biological samples from animals taken for subsistence or 

 other purposes; the status of the marine mammal species and 

 populations they are hunting; and the possible dangers from 

 consuming certain species or parts of marine mammals; and 



10) develop and implement cooperative programs with Canada and 

 the U.S.S.R. to jointly monitor and manage shared populations 

 of polar bears, walruses, beluga whales, and other species. 



The publication was widely distributed to Federal and State 

 agencies, Native groups, and others with responsibilities for 

 or interests in the conservation of marine mammals in Alaska. 

 It is being used by agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska 

 Department of Fish and Game, and the Alaska Eskimo Walrus 

 Commission to develop or update research and management plans 

 for species under their jurisdiction. 



Background Information on Transfer of Management 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act sets forth certain proce- 

 dures whereby the Secretaries of Commerce and/or the Interior 

 may, in response to a properly submitted reguest, transfer 

 authority for marine mammal management from the Federal Govern- 

 ment to a State Government. In order to transfer Federal 

 management authority, the Secretary with jurisdiction over 

 the species in guest ion must determine, after notice and oppor- 

 tunity for public comment, that the state has developed and 



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