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U.S. & Wildlife Service Marine Bulletin Vol. 11, No. 1 Polar , and Fall 2012 News for Harvest Taggers

In This Issue: Tagger Profile: Matrona Mazonna, Wales Tagger Pofile ...... Cover New Tagger Payment System . . . . . 2 Tagger Comings and Goings ...... 2 You Can Tag the Tip! ...... 3 First Gambell and Savoonga Advisory Committee Meeting. 4 and Walrus Mgmt. Workshop Held in Barrow...... 4-5 Walrus Skin and Population Study Expands Next Summer...... 5 2012 Walrus Harvest Monitoring Completed...... 5

Critical for Sea ...... 6 USFWS Trent/ John In the footsteps of her father Toby Anungazuk, Metrona Mazonna of Wales has Sea Otters in Cordova not an UME. . . .6 been harvest tagging and polar for thirty years! Fall Time Safety...... 7 “I started in 1982, when my Dad asked me to do it,” said Metrona whose Inupiaq name is ‘Kiyoutuk.’ Polar ...... 7 Fall Coastal Surveys...... 7 “I had already been watching him do it for a long time both for Dept. Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife” Comings and Goings...... 8-9 Keeping track of the marine mammal harvest in Wales has thus Special Report...... 9 become a family tradition for Metrona who also helps her sister working at the school. “It’s good to work for you at the Fish and Your Tagging Neighbors...... 10-11 Wildlife Service,” she adds, “and to provide this service for the Harvest Numbers...... 12 community. “ Over the last winter Wales harvested two polar bears and two walruses in the spring. Spring ugruk () was not so good, “only two,” she said. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Metrona was born in Nome to Toby Anungazuk and Martha Sereadlook, both from Wales. On August 14, 1995 Metrona married is working with others Albert Mazonna. Daughter Molly is now 17 and son Ken has three to conserve, protect, and kids of his own. enhance fish, wildlife, Among her hobbies, she likes to crochet and to pick greens and plants, and their in the summer months. for the continuing benefit of the American people. Thank you for doing such a good job tagging the marine mammal harvest at Wales, Metrona! Tagger News New Tagger Payment System Cash That Check! Tagger Comings and Goings It’s important for you to cash any Here is a partial list of those who check you get from us at USFWS have recently joined our band of soon after you receive it. The marine mammal taggers as well reason is that it becomes void, as those who have moved on. We that is no good, 60 days after it is have about 150 marine mammal written. Then we have to cancel taggers working in the Marking the old one and issue a new one, a Tagging and Reporting Program. hassle for us. To those just joining we say “Welcome” and to those leaving, So the next time you get a $5.00 “Thank you for your years of check from us for tagging one service to your community.” walrus tusk, don’t just stick it in your tagging box until you get This is not a complete list of all For more than six months we have more of them. Hop on down to the polar bear, Pacific walrus and sea been paying harvest monitors and store and buy a treat for yourself otter taggers working for the MTRP taggers by check directly or one of the grand kids! MTRP but you can call 1-800-362- from the Anchorage marine 5148 to get one. office. “Did I see you at the Fair?” Barrow: FWS liaison Ernest You still have to send us your Nageak is now a tagger as well as payment vouchers from the Billy Adams in NSB Wildlife. villages but they no longer need to go to Denver or to San Francisco Cordova: Jim Smith is a new sea where checks were mailed to you otter tagger there. under the old payment system. Craig has two new taggers With this system there is good working with the Craig Tribal news and bad news. The good Association: Daniel Edenshaw and news is that you the harvest Jessi Dubray. tagger should be paid more quickly. The bad news is that we Hooper Bay: Raphael Murran has still depend on the U.S. mail to turned in his tagging pliers after get the vouchers from you to us many years of faithful service but and the checks from us to you. Albert Simon and John Mann have Weather is always a factor with recently joined to help track the mail delivery and sometimes there marine mammal harvest in that

is a holiday or administrative Trent/USFWS John community. glitch that slows things down a Ketchikan artist and marine mammal day or two. tagger Christy Ruby models some of her Hydaburg: Charles Peele has products at the 2012 Alaska State Fair. joined our team. Also under the new system we can Business was good, Christy said. no longer make direct deposits Juneau: John Moller is now into your banking account if you tagging sea otters out of Juneau. happen to have one. We have to mail a check to you. Nuiqsut: Paul Pausanna joined long-time tagger Carl Brower. Brad Benter and Lucy Frerich are the check writers in our office, Point : Amos J. Lane joined so don’t forget to be nice to them Elijah Lane and Eunice Lane when you call in! Point Lay: James Tazruk is no We really enjoy working with longer a tagger but Danny Pikok you in all the villages and deeply Ruby Christy Jr. and Eugene Neakok are still One of the many products Christy makes tagging there. appreciate the great work you are from marine mammals. doing. Keep on tagging! Wainwright: Adds Shawn Oktollik.

2 Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 Tagger News Continued The only other way to tag a tusk You Can Tag the Tip! stuck in the skull is to drill two There is a quick and easy way to intersecting holes where the tusk tag a walrus tusk that is still stuck comes out of the skull. You then in the skull—drill a small hole at have to bend the tag wire through the very tip of the tusk and put the the two holes. This method is tag in there. slower and takes more practice. It is important to ask the tusk owner first before you do this. Many carvers do not mind tip Trent/USFWS John Be careful when the bit comes out the tagging because they can later other side. fill in the drill hole with a small amount of cement and ivory dust. Also, use the smallest drill bit in your tagging kit. John Trent/USFWS John A tusk tagged using intersecting holes at the base. It is always better to get ivory tagged right away. Get the word out to all walrus hunters and

John Trent/USFWS John beach found ivory owners that Now run the tag through the tip and they can tag their ivory before cinch up the wire. they get the tusks out of the skull. If later on, the owner wants to The real advantage for taggers put a tag in a different spot it John Trent/USFWS John is that they don’t have to wait is as simple as filling out a new Start by getting the bit to catch the ivory for the tusk to be soaked, boiled certificare with the new tag and a using one of the smallest bits in your or chopped out of the skull. And note that says retag. We will go kit. Once the bit catches, drill straight hunters/finders do not have to go ahead a pay you again for each through about 1/8 inch from the end. back for tagging at a later date. retag. Brad Benter/USFWS Brad Gambell whaling boat and bear hides. Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 3 Walrus News First Gambell and Savoonga Marine Mammal Advisory Committee Meeting By Jim MacCraken Fog and plane routing problems Many important issues were bring back enough of each walrus challenged but did not defeat the discussed including the need for to meet the USFWS wasteful first Marine Mammal Advisory a consistent process to deal with take guidelines, and (2) they Committee meeting held at trip limit violations, LE presence can indirectly limit the overall Gambell on Aug. 2nd. in the communities and reporting harvest depending on weather, ice to the IRA Councils, the fate of conditions, walrus distribution, All in all the meeting was highly confiscated ivory, the need to gas prices, community needs, etc. successful. Everyone expressed develop community outreach Compliance with the trip limits by a genuine desire to work together programs, the development of an hunters has exceeded 90% in 2010- on some very tough issues. IRA certification for ivory buyers, 2012. Although this is huge step in the the relationship between the self-regulation of the walrus hunt trip limits and Marine Mammal To help administer and enforce by both communities, there is Protection Act and Endangered the trip limits and support still much to be done which will Act programs, and the the actions of the MMACs the require dedicated funding and the workings of the MTRP program in Gambell IRA Council applied for continued efforts of all involved. both communities. and was awarded a Tribal Wildlife Grant totaling $200,000 from the In 2010 both Village IRA Councils USFWS in 2011. The purposes created Marine Mammal Advisory of the grant are to: (1) fund two Committees (MMAC) and gave joint meetings of the MMACs each them the authority to adopt and year, (2) hire and train up to two enforce ordinances controlling the Tribal Monitors for each village harvest of marine mammals. to enforce the limits, investigate violations, and collect data on The first action of both compliance, and (3) purchase Committees was to adopt trip the equipment necessary to limits when harvesting walruses successfully run the program. The – for each hunting trip, a captain tribal grant will fund the program and crew can only bring back 4 for 2012 and 2013.

John Trent/USFWS John to 5 walruses at a time. These Going boating out of Savoonga limits serve two purposes; (1) The next joint meeting will likely they ensure that hunters can be in February or March 2013. Climate Change and Walrus Management Workshop Held in Barrow By Joel Garlich-Miller In February 2012, the US observations about the increase number of walruses using haulouts Fish and Wildlife Service, in use of coastal haulouts and along the coast has Eskimo Walrus Commission, to discuss ways to increase the increased dramatically over the North Slope Borough, and the involvement and participation of past fifteen years, particularly in Alaska Department of Fish and coastal communities in walrus Chukotka where herds of Game, sponsored a community conservation and management tens of thousands of have workshop on the conservation efforts. become increasingly common. and management of Pacific In recent years, walrus haulouts walruses along the Chukchi Sea The habitat of the aiviq is have also begun to form along coast of Alaska. rapidly changing. Walruses have the Arctic coast of Alaska in late traditionally spent the summer summer. The largest haulout Workshop participants months in offshore feeding areas reported to date in Alaska has included community elders and in the Chukchi Sea where they occurred near the community of subsistence walrus hunters use as a platform for Point Lay, where an estimated 40 from the coastal communities of resting and care of their young. thousand animals hauled out in the Point Hope, Point Lay, Barrow, In recent years, the Chukchi summer of 2011. Wainwright and Savoonga. Sea has become sea ice-free in The purpose of the workshop late summer forcing walruses to As walruses become increasingly was to provide an opportunity move to coastal areas (known as dependent on coastal habitat to exchange information and haulouts) to rest on land. The areas, local stewardship and 4 Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 Walrus News Continued management efforts are becoming programs to minimize impacts of community, and has had an active increasingly important for the human activities to walrus herds role in research and monitoring health and stability of these along the coast. Efforts to re-route efforts at the haulout site. animals. airplane and boat traffic near coastal haulouts have helped reduce A copy of the workshop report is Disturbance at coastal haulout disturbances and rates of mortality available on-line at: http://alaska. sites can result in stampedes, at the haulouts. Re-introduction of fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/walrus/ causing injuries and mortalities traditional spear-hunting practices pdf/community_workshop_ from trampling. Walrus calves has allowed subsistence hunting to walrus_chukchi_sea_coast.pdf and yearlings are particularly continue with minimal disturbance or you can also request a printed vulnerable to trampling deaths to the herd. copy of the workshop report by at coastal haulouts. In Chukotka calling: 1(800) 362-5148. Russia, where walruses have Here in Alaska, the Native been hauling out along the coast Village of Point Lay has taken For additional information in large numbers for more than on a leadership role in efforts to on haulout monitoring and a decade, coastal communities minimize disturbances at a large management efforts contact Joel are starting to develop local haulout that has formed near their Miller at the above number. Walrus Skin and Population Study Expands Next Summer By Patrick Lemons The U.S. Fish and Wildlife there and what is the sex and age Commission, North Slope Service will launch a large effort composition of the population? Borough Department of Wildlife in the spring of 2013 to collect Obtaining this information Management, the U.S. Geological skin biopsy samples from live is essential for conservation Survey, the U.S. marine Mammals walrus hauled out on sea ice in the management of walruses during Commission and other experts. Bering Strait. If successful this these times of declining sea project will continue in 2014 and ice habitat. A genetics-based 2015 in order to determine the approach relies on a DNA feasibility of a long-term project identification of individuals and for estimation of abundance and subsequent resampling of those demographic rates of the Pacific individuals over time. It is a good walrus population. study method for animals like the walrus that are hard to study. The basic idea is to test the feasibility of a genetics based In 2011 we did a test study and capture-mark-recapture project collected about 265 skin samples for estimation of abundance and using crossbows. The study demographic rates of Pacific was reviewed by our partners Miller/USFWS Joel walruses—that is, how many are including the Eskimo Walrus Patrick Lemons with biopsy crossbow 2012 Walrus Harvest Monitoring Completed By Jonathan Snyder The annual spring Walrus Shena Aningayou (Gambell) and Mortality Event investigation. Biosampling and Harvest Harold Kiyuklook (Savoonga) for Teeth will be shipped to the lab Monitoring Project has been their dedication and hard work in for ageing this month. completed in Gambell and guiding the efforts of their 10-12 Savoonga. Gambell reported person crews. We especially thank We hope to have preliminary a harvest of 578 walrus and the boat Captains and hunters results available for the Savoonga reported harvesting for providing harvest data and Spring Hunter meetings on St. 246. Boat Captains collected collecting biological samples. Lawrence Island. Biological biological samples from 83 walrus. sample collection and analysis , , muscle and was funded by the Alaska Dept. Service staff and locally led crews samples are currently being of Fish Game (ADFG) through in both communities met hunters prepared for contaminant analysis. an Act on the beach during the month of Blood serum will be screened for grant from the Fish and Wildlife May and collected harvest data disease, and samples of blood, Service. and biological samples. We would spleen, heart, and intestine will like to thank our crew leaders be contributed to the Unusual Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 5 PolarSea Otter Bear News News Critical Habitat for Sea Otters in the Southwest Alaska Stock Doesn’t Affect Commercial Fishing By Suzann Speckman In 2005, the southwest stock of the For sea otters in the southwest rookeries in large numbers. Sea northern was listed as stock, critical habitat includes otters eat mostly bottom-dwelling threatened under the Endangered shallow, rocky areas within 100 such as sea urchins, Species Act. The stock ranges meters of the mean high tide , , , and some from the end of the Aleutian line, areas that are less than 20 bottom . Islands to lower western Cook meters deep, and areas that have Inlet, and includes the Kodiak and prey for sea otters. Food for sea otters is plentiful Archipelago. In 2009, 5,855 square These nearshore areas also give in the Aleutians, and there is no miles of critical habitat were sea otters cover from predators, evidence that commercial fishing designated for these threatened especially killer . in southwest Alaska is negatively sea otters. “Critical habitat” impacting sea otters or their food. identifies areas that are important Some people have worried that So let’s go fishing!! to sea otters and have the specific designation of sea otter critical habitat elements that sea otters habitat in southwest Alaska need. These areas are essential might close some areas to for , and commercial fishing, but this will may require special management not happen. Sea otters are very protection. different from Steller sea ,

which eat fish and haul out at Davis Randall

Sea Otters in Cordova; not an Unusual Mortality Event that was retrieved from By Kristin Worman Cordova in 2012 stranded June 8. No further strandings have been Over the spring and early summer northern sea otters. Death of very reported as of 4 September 2012. of 2012, the US Fish and Wildlife young pups is not unusual. In the Service began receiving reports case of the pup we examined, the Currently, we do not consider the from the Native Village of Eyak ultimate cause of death remains otters we examined from Cordova of dead and dying sea otters in unknown. Tests for the presence to be an unusual mortality event. the Cordova area. One such of bacterial infection were The causes of death are common report noted about eight animals negative, and the pup appeared to sea otters in Alaska. However, appearing weak and sick in a well fed and cared for. Further with the assistance of the Native group of 16. analysis is pending. Village of Eyak, we will continue to closely monitor otter strandings From March to June, five were Typically, 1 or 2 sea otter in the Cordova area. found dead and collected for strandings per year are reported necropsy (examination) in the in the Cordova area. The last How do we age a ? Anchorage marine mammals laboratory. Three of the five were over 10 years old with the oldest estimated to be around 17-18 years old. Otters live up to 20 years, a 10 year old otter is considered ‘aged’. The youngest adult was about six years; a young (weeks old) pup was also recovered. Two of the animals over 10 years old carried very heavy parasite burdens which were thought to have contributed to their deaths by causing severe This image shows a thin section cut from emaciation. Worman/USFWS Kristin a sea otter tooth. Each year a sea otter Volunteers helping out with a sea otter ages a ring is laid down, similar to trees. Analysis of the parasites showed necropsy at the Anchorage Marine This tooth was aged at 9 years. them to be normal species for Mammal Lab 6 Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 Polar Bear News • Do not let bears associate food to recuperate. Fall Time Polar Bear Safety with humans: lock up or remove By Susi Miller food, garbage, human , • Please report polar bear Most of us know that hungry petroleum products and animal harassment or lethal take for bears waiting on land for the fall carcasses; public safety reasons to FWS: ice can get into trouble with people if there are food smells around. • When you are traveling near 1 (800) 362-5148. the coast be aware of your Please be sure to minimize surroundings to avoid surprising Thank you! any food attractants in your bears; communities and camps and work with community members to • If a polar bear approaches you, minimize conflicts with bears. make loud noises to encourage it to leave. • If polar bears are not an immediate threat to human safety, • Do not approach bears resting just stay away; do not approach or on land, They might have made harass them; long-distance swims and need time Putnam/USFWS Christopher It helps to remember that Polar Bear Conservation Matters, and it Works this large diverse Community By Terry DeBruyn is necessary for successful Community—non-governmental polar bear conservation. That organizations like the World Community, including you, will Wildlife Fund and the Defenders be even more important and of Wildlife; units of government necessary as we seek common like the North Slope Borough; ground to deal with polar bear Native organizations like the issues brought about by a Alaska Nanuuq Commission; changing climate. agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Christopher Putnam/USFWS Christopher Department of Fish & Game as It matters not just for the well as everyday folks coming perpetuation of the polar bear together to focus on finding but also for preservation of the common ground and figuring out Alaska Native way of life. It what can be done to further polar works because of the efforts bear conservation. of the Alaska Conservation Putnam/USFWS Christopher Fall Coastal Surveys in the Southern Beufort Sea The number of bears observed this year was high relative to similar By Eric Regehr surveys conducted over the past body condition of polar bears decade. Of the observed bears, onshore between Barrow and the 22 were located west of Prudhoe Canadian border during the late Bay and 115 were located east of summer open period. Prudhoe Bay. Furthermore, a total of 57 bears were located within 10 The first of three surveys planned miles of Kaktovik. for 2012 ran from August 24 -27. The second and third surveys are This year marked the record low scheduled to begin 10 September ice extent for the Arctic which Christopher Putnam/USFWS Christopher and 15 October. could be the reason for high 2012 marked the 12th year of numbers of bears observed on aerial surveys of polar bears on During the first Survey a total land this fall. The numbers of the coastline and barrier islands of 137 polar bears, including bears observed for the second and in the southern . The dependent young, were observed third survey will be available later goal of these surveys is to monitor from Barrow to the U.S.- in the year and can be obtained by the distribution, abundance, border. calling our office, 1 (800) 362-5148. demographic composition, and Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 7 Comings and Goings

contacts made, and overall friendly and helpful approach they take in keeping everything running smoothly. I hope to keep in touch with the community and continue promoting effective marine mammal conservation, which includes tremendous respect for subsistence users and their way of life. Best Wishes - Rosa John Trent/USFWS John John Trent/USFWS John New Chief of Marine Rosa Meehan says “Good-bye” Mammals Management From the first day I walked in the Marine Mammal office, I know The new Marine Mammals Chief this was going to be a different is Deborah Pierce Williams. type of program and experience. Deborah comes to us from North In the years since, that feeling Carolina where she was refuge has really come true and in a manager at Mattamuskeet good way. A highlight for me National Wildlife Refuge. has always been the marking and tagging program because of Trent/USFWS John Originally from Vermont, the direct involvement by “our” New Expediter at the helm Deborah holds a bachelor’s taggers. The individuals out in the degree in from the villages who help with the tagging Lucille Frerich became the University of Miami in Florida are truly the backbone of the administrative assistant for our and a master’s degree in marine program and collectively form a marine mammals office just about biology from the University of network for collecting information one year ago, in 2011. Lucy is North Carolina at Wilmington. that is the envy of other harvest the new “voice on the telephone” monitoring programs. In all of replacing Ellen Baier who many of Deborah and her husband Shawn my travels, attending meetings, you came to know over the years. come to Alaska with their 8 month explaining our programs to a old son Wyatt. What adventures variety of other people, all have Lucy originally hails from the await their family in Alaska?! expressed interest and respect for state of Wisconsin and is a veteran the system and people we have in of the U.S. Air Force. She is no She enjoys outdoor activities, place. You all have my gratitude stranger to bush Alaska she lived including fishing, hunting, hiking, and admiration for being part of in King Salmon for eleven years mountain biking, camping, and the program! where she was an active big game nature photography. Deborah hunter and fisherwoman. She has is very excited to get out to the The vision (and inspiration and two grown sons, Daniel and John, villages and has already visited determination) for the Marking as well as two Gracie and Kit. Nome and Gambell in her short and Tagging program was Wells time with Marine Mammals. Stephenson, whom many of you There are at least two reasons know. He was truly a visionary why Lucy Frerich is a good person If any of our taggers are in who established this successful for marine mammal taggers Anchorage, Deborah asks for you program. Now, the coordination to know. She often takes your to stop by her office to say hello, and communication for the phone calls and keeps our office she also plans on meeting as many program (the glue if you will that on an even keel as well. But more taggers as possible on her future holds it all together) is in the importantly, she is the one who visits around Alaska. capable hands of John Trent and writes most of your checks. So be Brad Benter. My hat is off to nice to Lucy! Goodbye Rosa, hello Deborah! these two for the miles traveled, 8 Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 Comings and Goings Continued

And John Trent Says “Good-bye” MTRP senior biologist John bears, walruses and sea otters.” Trent will be leaving the Fish The MTRP is a conservation and Wildlife Service at the end partnership intended to protect of this year. John replaced Wells both wildlife populations and Stephenson in 2004 when Wells Alaska subsistence hunting life retired. styles, he further noted. “Those were pretty big shoes What is next for John? He needs to fill,” says John of Wells who to build a house for his wife near started the Marking Tagging and Kenai and he would also like to Reporting Program in the 1980s launch a writing career about and is still fondly remembered in wildlife and the challenges we all many Alaska coastal communities. face together living in ‘the great land.’ “This is a really great job and in many ways I will be sad to leave,” “But,” he concludes, “I do also continues John. “It’s been an want to stay in touch with my absolute privilege and honor to friends in the villages; so don’t work directly with Alaska Native be surprised if I show up on your subsistence hunters to collect doorstep someday with a big smile harvest information about polar on my face!” Ian Trent Ian

Special Report MTRP visit to Wainwright All photos by John Trent USFWS September, 2012

911 Memorial Parade held September 11, 2012 on Wainwright Main Street.

Old boats at Wainwright. Countless Fred Rexford assists successful polar generations have depended on the bear hunter Dana Ahmaogak. Jim Allen Chukchi Sea. Ahmaogak gives advice.

Aerial View of Wainwright looking north.

John Trent and MTRP tagger Jim Wainwright post office: an old iron Store manager Joseph Ahmaogak is also Allen Ahmaogak. mailbox stands guard. an active MTRP subsistence tagger. Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 9 Your Tagging Neighbors Sometimes it is nice to know listed by the community they live found ivory can be tagged at that who else can tag the subsistence in. If a community like Atqasuk location. marine mammal harvest in either or Illiamna is not listed, it means your own community or one that is there is no marine mammal tagger For a complete list of all taggers nearby. living/working there at this time. with their contact information, call 1-800-362-5148. Here is a list of all the individuals Non-Natives can tag beach-found who can tag subsistence killed or only at USFWS Thank you Metrona Mazonna for beach found walruses, polar bears offices in Alaska. If the tagger this tagger story idea! or sea otters for any Alaska Native has “FWS” after his or her name, living on the coast. Taggers are it means that non-Native beach-

North Slope Helenmarie Sinnok Clarence Waghiyi John Mann Kaktovik Davis Sockpick Kotzebue Sound Albert Simon Roland Kayotuk Wales Kotzebue Newtok Nuiqsut Metrona Mazonna John Goodwin Phillip Carl Carl Brower Brevig Mission Tina Moran (FWS) Chevak Paul Pausanna Rita Olanna Deering Bill Friday Barrow Teller Ronald Moto Mekoryuk Billy Adams Tony Okpealuk Norton Sound Raymond Amos Jason Herreman Nome Mountain Tununak Ernest Nageak Austin Ahmasuk Adrian Barr Peter Angaiak Thomas Olemaun Albert Johnson Golovin Toksook Bay Mike Pederson Mike Wade (FWS) Robert Amorak Ben Chagluak Joseph Sage King Island Elim Nightmute Wainwright Francis Alvanna Ken Saccheus Ignatius Matthias JimAllen Ahmaogak Jimmy Carlisle Koyuk Chefornak Joseph Ahmaogak Gambell Clifford Charles Hubert Tunuchuk Max Akpik Shena Aningayou Shaktoolik Kipnuk Shawn Oktollik Casey Iyakitan William Takak Benjamin Martin Point Lay Gerard Koonooka Unalakleet Kwigillingok Eugene Neakok Gerry Koonooka Carol Charles David Friend Danny Pikok Jr. Wade Okhtokiyuk Jason Driscoll Kongiganak Point Hope Jodeva Oozeva Saint Michael Jimmy Andrew A.J. Lane Darin Slwooko James Niksik James Lewis Elijah Lane Adrian Ungott Stebbins Bethel Eunice Lane Archie Ungwiluk Issac Nashoanuk Louie Andrew (FWS) Savoonga Quinhagak Bering Strait Floyd Kingeekuk Jr. Yukon/Kuskokwim John Mark Kivalina Dean Kulowiyi Emmonak Goodnews Bay Betty Norton Jenkins Noongwook Robert Westlock James Smith Little Diomede Rex Pungowiyi Scammon Bay Jerry Iyapana Donna Rookok Anthony Ulak Bristol Bay Ronald Ozenna Jr. Paul Rookok Jr. Richard Charlie Togiak Shishmaref Elton Seppilu Hooper Bay Pete Abraham 10 Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 Your Tagging Neighbors

Joseph Johnston Sr. Amanda Squartsoff Ray Allard Twin Hills Ouzinkie Kenai Peninsula John Breezeman Wilbur Sharp Herman Squartsoff Seward Hoonah Manokotak James Unrein Don Bolton Wasillie Tugatuk Sr. Anchorage/Fairbanks Kenai/Soldotna Juneau Dillingham Anchorage Todd Eskelin (FWS) Stephen Brockmann (FWS) Andy Aderman (FWS) Brad Benter (FWS) Rick Johnston (FWS) John Moller Frank Woods John Trent (FWS) Amy Hedland-Rogde Nathan Soboleff Alegnagik Fairbanks Ninilchik Angoon Frederick Bartman Mac Whisler (FWS) Christina Demidoff Albin Fredrickson New Stuyahok Homer Kake Evan Chocknok Sr. Aleutian/Pacific Jeff Williams (FWS) Frank Hughes Thomas Weedman Chignik (Bay) Seldovia Joel Jackson Clark’s Point Guy Ashby Randy Cameron Sitka Sharon Clark Chignik Lagoon Michael Opheim Min Bartels King Salmon Peter Bumpas Port Graham Ed & Clara Gray Marion Burgraff (FWS) Coleen Jones Patrick Norman William Mork Orville Lind (FWS) Sand Point Nanwalek Jeanne Vincent Port Heiden/Meshik Peter Devine Jr. Nick Tanape Sr. Petersburg Gerda Kosbruk Sharon & Steve Hakala Eli Lucas Jr. Nelson Lagoon King Cove Derek Lopez Merle Brandell Marvin Mack Chenega Bay Wrangell Brian Hartman Cold Bay Pete Komkoff Winston Davies Chris Peterson (FWS) Valdez Arlene Woodward Akutan John Boone Ketchikan Kodiak Raymond Vincler Bill Smith Embert James Larry Amox Jr. Dutch Harbor/Unalaska Tatitlek Macario Rado Melissa Berns Rachel Alinsunurin Lori (Sue) Clum (ADFG) Christy Ruby Iris Caldentey Cordova Larry Dirks Kasaan McCrea Cobb (FWS) Jason Borer Vince Tutiakoff Ron Leighton Tonya Lee (FWS) Joe Komkoff Nikolski Hydaburg Stephen McCormick James Smith Sergei Ermeloff Gloria Frank Old Harbor John Whissel Saint Paul Charles Peele Rolf Christensen Nuchek Dustin Jones Craig Liana Jack John F. C. Johnson Phillip Zavadil Brian Holter Jr. Akhiok Adak Daniel Edenshaw Speridon Simeonoff Southeastern Lisa Spitler (FWS) Jessi DuBray Larsen Bay Yakutat Atka Klawock Jessie Panamaroff Rudy Pavlik Allen Zaochney Arthur Demmert Jr. Port Lions Olaf Totland Jonathan Rowan Bob May Pelican

Marine Mammal Bulletin - Fall 2012 11 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service STANDARD PRESORT Marine Mammals Management Office POSTAGE AND FEES 1011 E. Tudor Road - MS341 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 PAID U.S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Phone: 907/ 786 3800 Toll Free: 800/ 362 5148 PERMIT G-77 Fax: 907/ 786 3816 Web: http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm

How Many Did You Catch? Total Reported Alaska Subsistence Harvests for the Last Five Years** 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 5-yr Avg. Northern Sea Otter 712 668 882 1083 1191 907 Pacific Walrus 1838 1295 1788 1455 1077 1491 Polar Bear 67 39 30 26 59 44 **These are harvest statistics from your tagging certificates.

For further information, contact: Brad Benter - MTRP Coordinator U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service John Trent - Supervisor http://alaska.fws.gov Deborah Pierce Williams - Chief, Marine Mammals Management October 2012