Uncle Sam Surveys Native Seal-Hunting Snacks in Remote Alaska
Published Date: 3/17/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on continuing to collect info about how Alaska Native communities on the Pribilof Islands use northern fur seals for subsistence. This helps manage the seal harvest fairly and follows rules made with local tribes. Comments are open until May 18, 2026, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just keeping the process running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tribal Reporting Time Burden Specified
Two tribal respondents (the St. George Island Traditional Council and the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island) must each submit a single consolidated subsistence use report annually by email. NOAA estimates each response takes 80 hours (160 total annual burden hours) and estimates $0 total annual cost to the public.
Annual Fur‑Seal Subsistence Reporting Continues
NOAA will continue collecting annual subsistence use reports about northern fur seals from Alaska Natives living on the Pribilof Islands (St. Paul and St. George). The rule covers male northern fur seals less than 7 years old and requires reporting under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1388) and the Fur Seal Act (16 U.S.C. 1155); NMFS posts the tribal reports online and includes the data in the annual Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report.
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