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Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§1153 Sealing permitted by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 24— - CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF NORTH PACIFIC FUR SEALS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - FUR SEAL MANAGEMENT › § 1153

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

People who are Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos living on the North Pacific coast can take fur seals and use or sell the skins after someone the Secretary authorizes has officially marked and certified them. The seals must be taken only for subsistence purposes (see section 1379(f)(2) for that definition), using traditional methods in single canoes that are not towed or used with other boats, powered only by oars, paddles, or sails, with no more than five people in each canoe, and without guns. This does not apply if they are working for someone else to take seals or are under a contract to deliver the skins. People living on the Pribilof Islands are also allowed to take fur seals for subsistence (see section 1379(f)(2)), but only under conditions the Commission recommends and the Secretary of State accepts, and according to rules the Secretary issues.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §1153

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who dwell on the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean are permitted to take fur seals and dispose of their skins after the skins have been officially marked and certified by a person authorized by the Secretary: Provided, That the seals are taken for subsistence uses as defined in section 1379(f)(2) of this title, and only in canoes not transported by or used in connection with other vessels, and propelled entirely by oars, paddles, or sails, and manned by not more than five persons each, in the way hitherto practiced and without the use of firearms. This authority shall not apply to Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos while they are employed by any person for the purpose of taking fur seals or are under contract to deliver the skins to any person.
(b)Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who live on the Pribilof Islands are authorized to take fur seals for subsistence purposes as defined in section 1379(f)(2) of this title, under such conditions as recommended by the Commission and accepted by the Secretary of State pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Secretary.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1983—Pub. L. 98–129 amended section generally, substituting provisions authorizing sealing by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians, which were previously contained in section 1152 of this title, for provisions authorizing scientific research on fur seal resources. See section 1154 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 1153

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73