PRIA Logo™
Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102

§1153 Sealing Permitted by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians

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

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Native Americans (Indians), Aleuts, and Eskimos who live on the North Pacific coast may take fur seals and sell or use their skins after someone the Secretary allows has marked and certified the skins. The seals must be taken for subsistence as defined in section 1379(f)(2). Hunters may only use canoes that are not carried by or used with other boats, moved only by oars, paddles, or sails, with no more than five people in each canoe, hunted in the traditional way, and not with firearms. This rule does not apply when they are hired by someone or under contract to deliver the skins. People who live on the Pribilof Islands may take fur seals for subsistence (see section 1379(f)(2)) under rules the Commission recommends and the Secretary of State accepts, following regulations the Secretary creates.

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

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102