Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission

1. Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission “Building Research and Management Capacity through Partnerships between the Alaska Native and Science Communities” Monica Riedel, Executive Director, ANHSC

2. Acknowledgements • Harold Martin, ANHSC Chair 1997-2004, Cultural Advisor 2004-present • Speridon Simeonoff, ANHSC Chair 2004-present, Vice Chair 1997-2004 • Lillian Elvsass, ANHSC Vice Chair 2004-present • Matt Kookesh, ANHSC Secretary/Tres 2004-present • Helen Chythlook, BBNA Commissioner • Walter Meganack Jr, Chugach Commissioner • Bruce Foster, Aleutian Is Commissioner • Peggy Osterback, Aleut MarineMammal Commission(TechnicalCommittee) • Ray Sensmeier, SE Alternate Commissioner • John Boone, Chugach Alternate Commission, Hunter/Instructor • James Fall Ph.D, Division of Subsistence, ADF&G • Brendan Kelly Ph.D, Dean of Arts and Science, UAS • Kaja Brix, John Bengtson, Peter Boveng, Mike Payne, NOAA • Carol Daniel, Attorney at Law • Vicki Vanek, DVM, Division of Subsistence, ADF&G • Rex Snyder, ANHSC Harvest Data Coordinator • Joni Bryant, ANHSC Harvest Data Coordinator • Danielle Savarese, ANHSC Wildlife Biologist

4. Research Partners Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission Organization Chart Board of Directors CEO/ ED Staff Contractual Partners Wildlife Biologist Harvest Data Coordinator ADF&G Subsistence Scientific Advisor Intern Harvest Assessment

5. Regional representation

8. What does Co-Management Mean? I offer this definition of Co-Management by John Bailey, Norman Snow, Andy Carpenter and Larry Carpenter from Canada. “Co-management is the blending of the governmental system of highly organized scientific data AND the much older system of sharing of experience, knowledge and harvests by aboriginal subsistence harvesters, usually achieved by consensus.”

9. Procedure Scientists Managers Users Towards a procedure • Iterative process:

10. Indigenous People’s Council for Marine Mammals • Alaska Native Harbor Seal CommissionAleut Marine Mammal Commission • Monica Riedel, Executive Director Peggy Osterback, Executive Director • Alaska Beluga Whale Committee AVCP - IUM • Harry Brower, Jr., Vice-Chairman (alt.) Jennifer Hooper • Alaska Sea Otter and Maniilaq Association • Steller Sea Lion Commission Enoch Shiedt, Sr. • Lianna Jack, Executive Director • North Slope Borough Dept. of Wildlife Management Charles D.N. Brower, Director • Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (observer) • Maggie Ahmaogak, Executive Director Sitka Marine Mammal Commission • Mike Miller, Sitka Tribe of Alaska • Alaska Nanuuq Commission • Charlie Johnson, Executive Director Southeast Inter-TribalFish and Wildlife Commission • Matt Kookesh • Bristol Bay Native Assn., BBMMC • Myra Olsen (primary) Traditional Council of St. George Island • Andy Malavansky • Bristol Bay Native Assn., BBMMC Inuit Circumpolar Conference – Alaska • Helen Chythlook (alternate) Jack Zayon, Executive Director • Cook Inlet Marine Mammal CouncilEskimo Walrus Commission • Peter Merryman, Chairman Vera Metcalf, Executive Director

11. IPCoMM Executive Committee: Charles D.N. Brower, Chairman Monica Riedel, Vice-Chairman Peggy Osterback, Secretary/Treasurer Charles Johnson, Matt Kookesh

12. Sound Wildlife Management 1) identification of population boundaries 2) information of population trends 3) quantitative data on harvests and other losses to the population

13. ANHSC has a strong partnership with ADF&G, Division of subsistence.

16. Vicki Vanek,DVM and Biosample Demonstrations One major focus is teaching students

21. Health Benefits from the Harbor Seal • Harbor seals play a crucial role in the culture of the Alaska Native. • Seals are a very important part of the native diet, providing high amounts of iron and other important nutrients. According to current research, the seal’s blubber contains elements that act as antibiotics in the human body.

23. Over 500 samples submitted since 1996

24. Samples • Muscle • Heart, Liver, Kidney • Blubber • Stomach • Whiskers • Skull, teeth • Female reproductive tract genetics contaminants – heavy metals contaminants long-term diet short-term diet diet shifts based on trophic level age, morphology species reproductive history

25. Contact information • ANHSC Web Site: • Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission.org • NOAA web site

26. ANHSC/NMFS Co-Management Agreement • Make up: Three National Marine Fisheries Service members and three ANHSC members, each side enlists scientific advisors • Management decisions based on: co-equal participation, mutual respect and on consensus • Meetings held twice a year or as needed

27. Bering Sea Stock Southeast Alaska Stock Gulf of Alaska Stock NOAA Stock Assessment Report 1998

28. The ANHSC-NMFS co-management committee met on September 29, 2005 to discuss proposals for new harbor seal stock structure in Alaska. The map above reflects the co-management committee’s ideas for new management stocks, however, this is a work in progress and we need input from the Alaska Native community before we can move forward with a joint ANHSC-NMFS proposal amending harbor seal stock structure. Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission

29. Spiritual and Cultural Well Being • It is imperative for Alaska Natives to continue our ancient marine mammal hunting practices. • It provides us with the nutritional needs that keeps us healthy and spiritually strong. • It not only helps us survive, but it allows us to thrive.