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The polar bear population in Alaska is shared with both Canada and 

 Russia and is believed to number about 5,000 animals. The 

 northern, or Beaufort Sea, population is estimated to be 1,800 

 animals. The western, or Bering-Chukchi Sea, population is 

 believed to number about 3,200 animals. The Service considers 

 polar bear stocks in Alaska to be healthy and possibly increasing 

 slightly. 



A growing population of sea otters in Alaska, estimated to number 

 between 100,000 and 150,000 individuals, has become reestablished 

 in most of the species' historic range and is considered by the 

 Service to be healthy. Although the population as a whole is 

 healthy, specific subpopulations within the State are of concern. 

 The south-central Alaska sea otter population is in a recovery 

 phase from acute mortality following the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 

 1989, and long-term sublethal effects on the population are not 

 well understood. In southeast Alaska, harvest numbers have 

 increased dramatically and there is concern that the population 

 level may be affected. 



Although the Service believes that population levels of these three 

 Alaska marine mammals are sound, we are considering proposals 

 addressing issues necessary to ensure their long-term viability. 

 These proposals include the following, that will be discussed in 

 the order they appear in the Act. 



