Fishermen: Do Not Shoot Seals and Sea Lions
Don't harm your fishery for all. Shooting seals and sea lions is against the law unless you are an Alaska Native subsistence harvesting for food or handicraft.
All marine mammals, including seals and sea lions, are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). It is illegal to shoot seals or sea lions unless you are an Alaska Native and the take is for subsistence purposes (food or handicraft) and is not accomplished in a wasteful manner.
Illegal shooting of a seal or sea lion may result in:
- Paying civil penalties greater than $29,000 per count
- Spending up to a year in jail
- Paying criminal fines
- Forfeiture of your vessel
- Harming your fishery's good reputation.
Report Violations
To report a marine mammal violation, call 1- (800) 853-1964. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement provides live operator coverage 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
