The State of Circumpolar Walrus Populations

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they return from hunting trips (Garlich-Miller and Burn 1999). Harvest estimates are derived by
the USFWS, which compares and extrapolates data from these programs (MMC 2003). The two
sources of data are combined to calculate annual reporting compliance and to correct for any
unreported harvest. The USFWS uses the average annual harvest over the past five years as an
estimate of current harvest levels in the USA and Russia (USFWS 2014 - also see Table 2)
(Russian harvest data are collected through an observer program and a reporting program
instituted by the Russian Federation).
Under the MMPA, Alaskan Natives are permitted to hunt walruses at any time of the year, except
at Round Island (Walrus Island-State Game Sanctuary) where a shorter autumn season is in place
(USFWS 1994; Okonek and Snively 2005). Most hunting in Alaska takes place in spring, when
walruses are hunted on and amongst ice floes in small boats (Garlich-Miller et al. 2011; Shadbolt
et al. 2014).
The Pacific walrus is not designated as depleted under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA) (USFWS 2014; Allen and Angliss 2015). In February 2008, the USFWS received a
petition to list the Pacific walrus under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (Allen and
Angliss 2015). A status review by the USFWS was compiled in 2011 (Garlich-Miller et al. 2011).
Due primarily to the combined threats of sea ice loss and harvest the USFWS has determined that
listing the Pacific walrus as endangered or threatened under the ESA is warranted, but higher
priority listing actions have taken precedence (USFWS 2011; Taylor and Udevitz 2015). The total
human-caused removals exceed the estimated PBR of 2,580 (USFWS 2014; Allen and Angliss
2015). The Pacific walrus stock is therefore classified as “strategic” in the U.S. A final decision
regarding the status of the Pacific walrus under the ESA is planned for 2017 (Taylor and Udevitz
2015).
Habitat Protection
The MMPA emphasizes habitat and ecosystem protection, with goals that include protection of
essential habitats, including rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance (Garlich-
Miller et al. 2011). The typical seasonal distribution pattern, primary breeding areas, and
locations of coastal haulouts in the Bering and Chukchi seas are generally well known (e.g., see
maps in Smith 2010; USFWS 2014), but changes have been occurring in the past decade in
response to loss of sea ice (Jay et al. 2012; Demer 2016; C. Jay, pers. comm.) that require tracking.
Several important haulouts in Alaska are protected through state or Federal parks and protected
areas. The State of Alaska created the Walrus Island State Game Sanctuary in 1960, which
includes Round Island (Garlich-Miller et al. 2011). Round Island is managed by the ADF&G, and