SB 60, the legislation I introduced to provide an incentive payment for the legal harvest of sea otters by Alaska Natives, was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee until next session. During the interim, I intend to work with the state and federal stakeholders, native organizations and interested Alaskans on drafting a substitute bill. I’m willing to consider any options available to the state to slow down the rapid growth of the sea otter population in Southeast which is having a disastrous impact on our shellfisheries. My ultimate goal is to have the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service take a more active management role. While I was in Washington D.C. for an Energy Council meeting, I had the opportunity to talk with Gary Frazer, the Assistant Director of Endangered Species with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I urged him to instruct his agency to review their sea otter management plan for Alaska and work cooperatively with the state to slow the rapid growth of sea otters.
Senator Stedman and Gary Frazer, Assistant Director of Endangered Species with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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