Harbor Seals
Subsistence Harvest of Harbor Seals and Sea Lions by Alaska Natives in 1998
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Division of Subsistence
Technical Paper No. 250
Principal Investigator
Robert J. Wolfe
Project Coordinator
Lisa B. Hutchinson-Scarbrough
ABSTRACT
This report describes the subsistence takes of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) and Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) by Alaska Natives in 1998, including quantity, seasons, geographic distribution, and age and sex of the harvest. Information is summarized at the state, region, and community levels, and is compared with annual takes since 1992. The research was conducted by the Division of Subsistence, Alaska Department of Fish and Game under contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Information derives from systematic interviews with hunters and users of marine mammals in 1,650 households in 62 coastal communities within the geographic ranges of the two species. Local researchers conducted most of the household interviews as part of local and regional research networks. The project received generous support from leaders of a number of Native governments and regional and statewide associations.
During 1998, the estimated subsistence take of harbor seal by Alaska Natives was 2,597 seals, with a 95 percent confidence range of between 2,235 to 3,212 seals. Of the take, 11.9 percent (310 seals) were struck and lost and 88.1 percent (2,286 seals) were harvested. The 1998 take of harbor seals came from the following stocks: Southeast Alaska stock (1,616 seals), Gulf of Alaska stock (842 seals), and Bering Sea stock (138 seals). Harbor seals were taken in 54 of 62 surveyed communities. Hunters reported taking males over females by about 2.4 to 1, and adults (87.6 percent) over juveniles (9.6 percent) or pups (2.9 percent). The 1998 take of harbor seals is comparable with takes from other years -- 2,854 (1992), 2,736 (1993), 2,621 (1994), 2,742 (1995), 2,741 (1996), and 2,546 (1997).
During 1998, the estimated subsistence take of sea lions by Alaska Natives was 178 sea lions, with a 95 percent confidence range of between 137 to 257 sea lions. Of the take, 26.4 percent (47 sea lions) were struck and lost and 73.6 percent (131 sea lions) were harvested. Sea lions were taken in 18 of 62 surveyed communities. Hunters reported taking males over females by about 6.6 to 1, and adults (48.2 percent) over juveniles (33.0 percent) or pups (18.4 percent). The 1998 take of sea lions was the second lowest recorded for seven survey years -- 549 (1992), 487 (1993), 416 (1994), 339 (1995), 186 (1996) and 164 (1997). The substantial declines in sea lion takes are associated with decreasing numbers of hunters hunting sea lions, which is probably linked to local sea lion scarcities.
Copies of the technical report can be obtained by writing:
Secretary
Division of Subsistence
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, AK 99802-5526
(907) 465-4147