Co-management of Subsistence use of Pacific Walrus

This funding opportunity will allow the QWC and the Service to engage in co-management of subsistence use of Pacific walrus as defined in section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This will be accomplished by the Service and QWC working together to address conservation and management needs of Pacific walrus in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 provides for co-management of subsistence use of Pacific walrus and authorizes the Service to enter into Cooperative agreements with Alaska Native organizations. The Service has partnered with Bristol Bay Native Association's Qayassiq Walrus Commission (QWC) since 1996 to conserve marine mammals and provide for co-management activities in Bristol Bay Alaska. The QWC is comprised of tribally appointed representatives from 9 federally recognized tribes. Funds provided through this cooperative agreement, will support activities of the QWC (meetings and partial directors salary) necessary to implement the annual subsistence walrus hunt on Round Island. This hunt is governed by a 4 party memorandum of agreement which includes the Service and the State of Alaska. This agreement requires the QWC to hold annual pre and post hunt meetings to issue hunt quotas and permits. These meeting also provide an opportunity for the Service to communicate directly with subsistence users and their tribes on walrus conservation and management issues.