Pacific walrus on icepack
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 gave the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) responsibility for the management and conservation of all but three species of marine mammals in Alaska. The MMPA gave the Department of Interior (DOI) management responsibility for polar bears, walrus, sea otters, manatees and dugongs. The DOI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 7, Alaska, Marine Mammals Management Office is responsible for management of the three Alaska species: polar bears, sea otters, and Pacific walrus. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council works cooperatively with all these agencies to ensure actions taken by the Council do not negatively affect any of these species. Council staff contact is Sarah Rheinsmith 907-271-3235. To find out more about polar bears, sea otters, and Pacific walrus, please see the USFWS’s website.
Council actions and documents relating to Pacific walrus
- Final Action Round Island Vessel Transit 4/14; Motion
- Public review Vessel transit lane near Round Island 4/13
- Walrus transit zones motion 12/12; Round Island Transit Discussion Paper 12/12
