Alaska Native Harbor Seal CommissionAlaska Native Harbor Seal Commission

“Building Research and Management Capacity through Partnerships between

the Alaska Native and Science Communities”

Monica Riedel, Executive Director, ANHSC

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• 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

CEO/ ED

Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission

Organization Chart

Board of Directors

Staff Contractual Partners

Harvest Data Coordinator

ADF&G Subsistence

Scientific Advisor

Harvest Assessment

Wildlife BiologistIntern

Research Partners

Regional representationRegional representation

What does Co-Management What does Co-Management Mean?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.”

Towards a procedureTowards a procedure

• Iterative process:

Procedure

Scientists

ManagersUsers

Indigenous People’s Council for Marine MammalsIndigenous People’s Council for Marine Mammals

• Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission Aleut 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-Tribal Fish 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 Council Eskimo Walrus Commission • Peter Merryman, Chairman Vera Metcalf, Executive Director • •

IPCoMM Executive Committee:IPCoMM Executive Committee: Charles D.N. Brower, ChairmanCharles D.N. Brower, Chairman Monica Riedel, Vice-ChairmanMonica Riedel, Vice-Chairman

Peggy Osterback, Secretary/TreasurerPeggy Osterback, Secretary/Treasurer Charles Johnson, Charles Johnson,

Matt KookeshMatt Kookesh

Sound Wildlife ManagementSound Wildlife Management

1) identification of population boundaries

2) information of population trends

3) quantitative data on harvests and other losses to the population

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

Vicki Vanek,DVM and Biosample Demonstrations

One major focus is teaching students

Health Benefits from the Health Benefits from the Harbor SealHarbor 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.

Over 500 samples Over 500 samples submitted since 1996submitted since 1996

SamplesSamples

• 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

Contact informationContact information

• ANHSC Web Site:– Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission.org– NOAA web site

ANHSC/NMFS Co-Management ANHSC/NMFS Co-Management AgreementAgreement

• 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

Southeast Alaska Stock

Gulf of Alaska Stock

Bering Sea Stock

NOAA Stock Assessment Report 1998

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

Spiritual and Cultural Well BeingSpiritual 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.