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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BH25 Publication ID: Fall 2017 
Title: ●Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals on the Pribilof Islands; St. Paul Island 
Abstract:

The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Tribal Government, petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to revise the regulations governing the subsistence use of northern fur seals on St. Paul Island, Alaska (subsistence harvest regulations). The Fur Seal Act prohibits all taking of northern fur seals, and authorizes taking of fur seals for subsistence uses if in accordance with regulation. The current regulations limit the taking of northern fur seals to Alaska Natives who reside on the Pribilof Islands (Pribilovians) if it is for subsistence uses and not accomplished in a wasteful manner. The regulations further limit the number of fur seals to be taken annually, and the regulations dictate the size, age, and sex of fur seals, as well as when, where, and how fur seals may be harvested. The regulations also include provisions for the NMFS to temporarily suspend or terminate the taking of northern fur seals for subsistence uses each year. On January 13, 2017, NMFS published a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the environmental effects of the potential revisions to the subsistence harvest regulations for St. Paul Island. NMFS received public comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and is preparing responses to those comments. NMFS will proceed with rulemaking to revise the current subsistence harvest regulations consistent with statutory obligations. Potential revisions to these regulations could include, but are not limited to, changes to the timing, duration, or location of authorized subsistence practices and the numbers and age of northern fur seals taken for subsistence uses on St. Paul Island. Revisions could also include a reduction in regulatory provisions and an increase in cooperative management provisions with the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island. A revision could allow Aleuts to restore subsistence traditions prohibited by the government since 1890.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 13771 Designation: Deregulatory 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.    16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  01/00/2018 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Tribal 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
James Balsiger
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:907 586-7221
Email: jim.balsiger@noaa.gov