The State of Circumpolar Walrus Populations

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USFWS 2014). The population is currently below carrying capacity (MacCracken 2012) and is
once again likely limited primarily by subsistence harvest (Udevitz et al. 2013).
Recent (since 2006) harvest levels have been much lower than the long-term average (USFWS
2014). Recent harvest data are shown in Table 2, and are available in a number of sources
(Garlich-Miller et al. 2011; Shadbolt et al. 2014; USFWS 2014; Allen and Angliss 2015). These
harvests have been corrected for struck and lost animals using data from Fay et al. (1994), who
found an average struck and lost rate of 42%. This estimate is dated but remains the best available
(Garlich-Miller et al. 2011; USFWS 2014). There is no information to suggest that illegal hunting
is a significant management concern for Alaska, although charges have been laid in regard to
trade in walrus parts (Shadbolt et al. 2014).
At present, the USFWS is responsible for management and conservation of the Pacific walrus in
the USA. This authority was transferred to the USFWS from the State of Alaska in 1972 when the
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was implemented (USFWS 1994; Garlich-Miller et al.
2011; Shadbolt et al. 2014). Prior to this, walrus hunting was regulated by the State of Alaska.
Walruses are protected under the MMPA, and only qualified coastal-dwelling Alaskan Natives are
permitted to hunt Pacific walruses (USFWS 1994; Shadbolt et al. 2014). They can hunt for
subsistence purposes or for making and selling authentic Native craft products, provided the
harvest is not wasteful. The MMPA also has provisions for cooperative management agreements
with Alaskan Native organizations to provide for co-management of subsistence use (USFWS
2014). The USFWS signed a formal co-management agreement with the Eskimo Walrus
Commission (EWC) in 1997 (Garlich-Miller et al. 2011; USFWS 2014 - see Appendix C of Shadbolt
et al. 2014).
When the MMPA was introduced management authority was transferred from the State of Alaska
to the USFWS, but provisions under the MMPA allowed states to re-assume management under
guidelines developed by Federal agencies. The State of Alaska briefly resumed management of the
Pacific walrus in 1972 with Federal provisions that limited the harvest to 3,000 walruses per year.
In 1977, residents of Togiak, AK filed a lawsuit against the United States arguing that their
freedom to hunt marine mammals granted in the MMPA could not be restricted by re-instituting
state conservation laws (Shadbolt et al. 2014). The court agreed and management authority was
transferred back to the USFWS in 1979 (USFWS 1994).
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) works in cooperation with the USFWS and
conducts research to complement projects undertaken by Native organizations and the Federal
government. The ADF&G promotes co-management of marine mammals with Alaska Native