09-07 Harvest of migratory birds

Published on November 10th, 2009

By ALEX DEMARBAN

Summary

The Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council must take steps to prevent state and federal enforcement agencies from making changes to migratory bird harvests that would negatively affect the program for Native users.

---

Full Text

RESOLUTION 09-07

THE HARVEST OF MIGRATORY BIRDS BY ALASKA NATIVE PEOPLE

WHEREAS: Alaska Natives have relied upon the harvest of spring waterfowl for generations; and

WHEREAS: This harvest by Alaska Natives was officially recognized by the United States and the other signatories to the International Migratory Bird Treaty, with the adoption of the 1999 Protocols by the United States; and

WHEREAS: The harvest is limited to those Alaska Natives who are permanent residences of a "included" areas of the state; and

WHEREAS: State and Federal Agencies have interpreted this provision to be prohibit the transportation of legally harvested waterfowl from "included areas" to "excluded areas"; and

WHEREAS: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act specifically authorizes the harvest of Spring, Summer and Fall Waterfowl by those Alaska Natives living in or from "excluded areas", subject to specific provisions; and

WHEREAS: The Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council (AMBCC) has never adopted regulations or proposals to clarify the exact process by which these specific provisions will be implemented or adopted, thereby causing confusion and uncertainty during the harvest; and

WHEREAS: Due to the inaction of the AMBCC, Alaska Natives participating in the customary and traditional harvest of migratory birds are in jeopardy of being prosecuted by State and Federal officials for this historical practice; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the delegates to the 2009 Annual Convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc., that the Alaska Migratory Bird CoManagement Council take the immediate steps, including but not limited to, development and adoption of regulations regarding the harvesting of spring, summer and fall waterfowl, necessary to prevent such actions being taken by State and Federal enforcement agencies during the spring migratory bird harvest by Alaska Natives.

SUBMITTED BY: TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE

COMMITTEE ACTION: DO PASS

CONVENTION ACTION: AMENDED AND PASSED