465 



could be achieved through a cooperative program such as the "Anadromous Fish 

 Act of 1965", without claiming title to resident resources that have historically 

 been the property of the people of the states. 



DISCUSSION 



The Submerged Lands Act of 1953 confirms state title to and ownership of 

 natural resources, including marine animal life, within three miles of the coast- 

 line. Therefore, ocean mammals living in this zone are, by federal statute, resident 

 species which fall under state jurisdiction. Exceptions to this would be the fur 

 seal and the majority of the cetaceans which inhabit international waters. 



State wildlife agencies can point with pride to their achievements in marine 

 mammal management. Normally, emphasis has been placed on species that, are 

 associated with state coastlines, i.sland.s or other land masses. These species in- 

 clude the sea lion, beluga whale, killer whale, walrus, sea otter, manatee, polar 

 bear and seals other than the northern fur seal. Porix)ises and dolphins have not 

 received great emphasis because they primarily inhabit international waters and 

 do not form discrete resident iwpulations along state coastlines. The majority of 

 whales and the northern fur seal have historically been controlled by the federal 

 government and have not been included to a major extent in the programs of 

 most states. 



Sea lions and seals receive general protection along the Pacific coast with the 

 exception of Alaska. These animals can cause serious economic losses to com- 

 mercial fishermen and when this occurs, the offending animals may be taken. 

 The state of Alaska allows the harvest of seals and sea lions throughout the 

 year because of the adverse effect large populations of these animals have on a 

 commercial fishery. Of this group of mammals, only the Ribbon Seal has shown 

 a decline in numbers. This decline has been caused by excessive kills in the 

 Chukchi Sea by the Russian sealing fleet. Passage of H.B. 6554 and H.R. 1042i) 

 would provide little protection for the Ribbon Seal. However, an international 

 treaty could be established without passage of these two bills. 



After lows at the end of the 19th century, walrus numbers have increased to 

 between 60,000 and 100,000 in the Bering Sea population. The annual harvest of 

 walrus consists of those taken by natives for food and ivory and those taken by 

 trophy hmaters. In 1970, native harvest amounted to 1,304 walrus while 2S 

 additional animals were taken as trophies. Breakdown of the harvest by sex and 

 age indicated 850 adult males, 374 adult females and 103 calves. The state of 

 Alaska limits the harvest by natives dependent on walrus for food to five adult 

 females or subadults of either sex per season. There is no limit on bulls and 

 orphaned calves may be taken without contributing to the bag limit. The only 

 major hauling ground regularly used by walrus in Alaska, Round Island, has 

 been designated as a refuge with complete protection provided. Both H.R. 6554 

 and H.R. 10420 allow the taking of walrus for subsistence by Indians, Aleuts and 

 Eskimos. Tlierefore, passage for these bills would prohibit the harvest of mature 

 bulls for trophies ; a harvest that accounted for only 23 animals in 1970. 



In the early years of the 20th century, sea otter nixmbers were reduced to a 

 few hundred scattered animals. Under a policy of complete protection established 

 in 1911, numbers increased to the present population of between 40,000 and 

 50,000. The rate of ix)pulation growth under uncrowded conditions is at least ten 

 percent. In crowded populations there is only a four percent increase and a 

 decrease may occur when numbers exceed the carrying capacity of the habitat. 



In some areas, such as Amchitka Island, sea otter numbers have become too 

 abundant and some mortality is occurring. Alaska has initiated a management 

 program to remedy this situation. Experimental harvests are being conducted 

 to determine the number of animals that can be taken annually and the best 

 time of year from the standpoint of pelt primeness. An active transplant pro- 

 gram has provided animals for Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washing- 

 ton and Oregon. Strict protection has been given to the transplanted animals as 

 well as to cstablislhed popu.lationis where numbers do not exceed carrying capac- 

 ity of the haibitat. 



The Southern Sea Otter is recovering after being exploited by fur traders and 

 poachers in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. At present, this specie® is 

 being protected by Calif ornia law within the three-mile limit and by federal law 

 on the high seaH 'Passage of H.R. 6554 or H.R. 10420 would not benefit sea otter 

 beyond what is now being accomlplished throug'h state management programs. 



The manatee has been a victim of past hiunting. from both the commercial 

 and sporting elements. 'Silting and pollution of coastal feeding grounds, inclem- 



