Currently, the harvesting regulations, rifle safety (first offering of two sessions), and proper skinning and hide care portions of the project have been recorded to video. Dean Cramer reviewed the harvest regulations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act with the trainees. In December of 2006, Linn Shipley with the state’s hunter safety program taught a basic rifle safety class. In January 2007, Boyd Dedrickson educated trainees on the proper way to skin a sea otter and discussed the various uses of different parts of the sea otter. The Sitka Tribal Tannery Manager also demonstrated the proper way to care for and store a sea otter hide once it has been harvested. All sessions have been recorded and photographed. SMMC has contracted with filmmaker Ellen Frankestein to edit and create the final video.

The video is scheduled to be completed by June 2007. Please contact the Sitka Marine Mammal Commission for more information.

The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion CommissionPreserving the balance for Alaska Native peoples and marine mammals March 2007

TASSC Project Highlights: Small Boat Survey Workshop TASSC NewsTASSC Honors its CommissionersAt TASSC’s Annual Meeting on February 8, 2007, TASSC honored six Commissioners who previously served on TASSC’s board. A Recognition Ceremony was held for Joseph Clark (1996-2005), Dolly Garza (1993-2005), Claude Kuzakin (1991-2005), Melvin Smith (1994-2002), Patrick Marrs (1998-2004), and John Lind (2005-06). Each Commissioner present was give a plaque from TASSC in appreciation of their dedicated service with heart and soul to the Commission. TASSC was equally honored to have the daughter of Joseph Clark present, Sharon Clark, who accepted his plaque on his behalf.

Staff UpdateDan Martinez, Research Analyst for TASSC since 2002 has most recently resigned. “As I will always carry this job with me, I wish TASSC the best, and I hope that I have the opportunity to work with you all again,” Dan said. TASSC would like to thank Dan for all of his hard work during his time with TASSC.Lianna Jack will be overseeing the projects that Dan coordinated. Lianna can be reached at 800.474.4362 or ljack@seaotter-sealion.org.

2008 CalendarIf you would like to be a sponsor of the 2008 TASSC Calendar, please contact TASSC Staff. We are also looking for Alaska Native artwork (photographs, illustrations, etc.) to showcase in the 2008 Calendar. If you would like to submit an artwork to be featured in the next Calendar, please contact us. All images used will be properly credited. We look forward to your submissions!

Sea Otter Hunting Training Video: Sitka Marine Mammal Commission Progressing With Video

The second Sea Otter Small Boat Survey (SBS) Workshop was held in Anchorage, Alaska, on February 6th and 7th 2007. The Workshop gathered SBS operators and surveyors from across the state, tribal members, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff, and TASSC Commissioners and staff.

Funded through an agreement with the USFWS through Section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the SBS gives tribes the opportunity to survey their sea otter subsistence resources. The data collected is useful to a tribe’s sea otter resource management plan, potential harvest ordinances and to determine trends in their waters. TASSC’s SBS program began in 1998.

The two day event showcased SBS survey history and data, variation and adaptations, challenges, and data use and

objectives for each tribe conducting SBS in their regions.

Tribes currently conducting sea otter SBS and present at the workshop were the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, Native Village of Chignik Lagoon, Native Village of Ouzinkie, Native Village of Port Graham and Nanwalek, Seldovia Village Tribe, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, Craig Community Association, and Hydaburg Cooperative Association. The Native Village of Eyak also implements SBS but was unable to attend the workshop.

Each SBS operator/observer talked about what they experience during their surveys. They discussed in great detail the geographical features of the areas they survey. The difficulties that some operators encounter during their surveys was also discussed.

The workshop concluded with a discussion on research permitting, community priorities, and planning on the frequency of future surveys. TASSC would like to thank all those who participated and made the workshop a great success.

The Sitka Marine Mammal Commission (SMMC) has partnered with TASSC and the USFWS to initiate a youth sea otter hunter training program and corresponding training video. The video has been broken down into seven parts; (1) harvesting regulations, (2) rifle safety, (3) boating safety, (4) proper skinning and hide care, (5) marine science, (6) the harvest, and (7) full utilization. Tribal youth have volunteered to fill the position of trainees for a training video and will be mentored by the members of the SMMC.

Proper skinning and hide care training. Photo courtesy of SMMC.

Upcoming Events

Margaret and Sharon Clark

Margaret and Dolly Garza

Margaret and Patrick Marrs

Margaret and Melvin Smith

SBS Workshop participants

Southwest Alaska Sea Otter Recovery Team MeetingApril 10-11, 2007Anchorage

Alaska Native Diet Workshop: Assessing Benefits & Risks of Diet in Rural AlaskaApril 10-12, 2007AnchorageContact Sue Unger (sueu@apiai.org) with the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Assocation to register

Kodiak Whale FestApril 14-22, 2007

Copper River Delta Shorebird FestivalMay 3-6, 2007Cordova

Awakening Bear FestivalMay 5-6, 2007Kodiak

Kachemak Bay Shorebird FestivalMay 10-13, 2007Homer

The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission

6239 B Street, Suite 204Anchorage, AK 99518

907-274-97991-800-474-4362

907-274-9022 Faxasoc@seaotter-sealion.orgwww.seaotter-sealion.org

The Alaska Sea Otter Commission was formed in 1988 to promote Native participation in resource policy decisions affecting sea otters and their uses. In November, 1998, the Commission expanded its role as a statewide organization to advocate on behalf of Steller sea lion and Alaska Native relationships. The organization officially expanded to The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission (TASSC).

Our goals are to:• Promote Alaska Native participation in sea otter

and Steller sea lion conservation and management efforts,

• Assess sea otter and Steller sea lion populations in Alaska through cultural science (TEK) and local biological research,

• Work with regulatory agencies toward the common goal of conservation and management of healthy sea otter and Steller sea lion populations in Alaska, and

• Educate and inform our youth and the public on the traditional and contemporary relation-ship between sea otters and Steller sea lions and Alaska Natives.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Margaret Roberts, ChairJeff PetersonKodiak Region

O. Patricia Lekanoff-GregoryPeggy Osterback

Aleutian/Pribilof Region

Patrick KosbrukMyra Olsen, Secretary

Bristol Bay Region

Patrick Norman, Vice-ChairMark King, Treasurer

Chugach Region

John CrawfordLillian Elvsaas

Cook Inlet Region

Michael SeeGeorge Ramos Southeast Region

We value your feedback and advice! We invite you to tell us what you think of the work we are doing and the content of this newsletter.

The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission6239 B Street, Suite 204Anchorage, AK 99518

March 2007 Newsletter

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit No. 268Anchorage, AK

Please Post!

Do you know someone who is interested in sea otter/Steller sea lion subsistence, conservation, or management related issues who would like to be added to our mailing list? Please contact Emily Fruzza, TASSC Communications Coordinator at efruzza@seaotter-sealion.org or 800.474.4362.

Become a Member!Becoming a member of TASSC is a simple way to get involved with sea otter/Steller sea lion conservation and management efforts. Memberships help support the Commission’s work throughout Alaska which includes promoting Alaska Native subsistence rights and artistic development, local research, and education.

To become a member, please fill out the form below and mail it to: The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission 6239 B Street, Suite #204 Anchorage, AK 99518

Thank you for your support of TASSC!

Membership Class:

Name:

Mailing Address:

Home Phone:

Email:

Please make checks payable to The Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission.

Membership Classes Tribal Member $30/yr

Affiliate Individual $30/yr

Family $40/yr

Student/Senior Citizen $10/yr

Institutional/Organizational $250/yr

Patron $500/yr

Life $1000 (one-time)

Signature $3000/yr

Contribution $Unlimited/yr

Members enjoy:• Subscription to TASSC’s newsletter

• Complimentary copy of TASSC publications

• Advanced notice of groundbreaking sea otter/Steller sea lion news and other special events

• 10% off all TASSC merchandise