Social and Cultural Consequences. A few Alaskan Natives who have recently participated in the hunting of CI beluga whales would have the opportunity to harvest this resource, while additional Alaskan Natives would benefit as the beluga is shared with others under Alternative 2. Native hunters have expressed their belief that the skills, cultural values, and knowledge associated with this harvest must be passed on first-hand to younger generations, and that the tradition would die if no hunting occurs for many years. Those hunters who have relied on the beluga for money would be adversely impacted by this alternative, as the agreement prohibits such sales. The intent of this harvest is to enrich and maintain the cultural tradition of hunting. The traditional skills and knowledge associated with this xxxx would not be lost, and direct experience in this harvest would continue to be taught and passed on.
Social and Cultural Consequences. Alternative 1 is expected to impact traditional Native culture in at least two ways. Alaskan Natives who have recently participated in the hunting of CI beluga whales would not have the opportunity to harvest this resource. Although this action concerns only the 2000 harvest, Native hunters have expressed their belief that traditional hunting skills and knowledge must be passed on first-hand and that the tradition would die if no hunting occurs for many years. This would be the second year in a row with no take of belugas, as no harvest of occurred in 1999 due to a voluntary stand-down by Native hunters and provisions of Pub. L. 106-31. Social standing within the Native community is based, in part, on the station of an individual. Whaling captains, and those who secure and distribute Native foods, are highly regarded. Those hunters who have relied on beluga whales as part of their annual Native food source, or for money through sale of edible portions, would be adversely affected by this alternative. The cultural aspects of this harvest would continue to erode under this alternative, if the traditional skills and knowledge associated with this xxxx are lost through time. Without direct experience in this harvest, these skills may not be taught and passed on with the consequence that when hunting resumed after recovery the low skill levels of the hunters could result in inefficient and wasteful harvest practices.
Social and Cultural Consequences. 25 4.4 Impacts on Endangered or Threatened Species 26
Social and Cultural Consequences. 22 4.4 Impacts on Endangered or Threatened Species 23 4.5 Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) 24 4.6 Regulatory Impact Review 24 4.6.1 Non-consumptive Resource Use 25 4.7 Regulatory Flexibility Act 26 5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 27 6.0 CONCLUSIONS: FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 28 7.0 LIST OF PREPARERS 28 8.0 LITERATURE CITED 29 Abbreviations and Acronyms ADFG Alaska Department of Fish and Game ANO Alaska Native organization XX Xxxx Inlet CIMMC Cook Inlet Marine Mammal Council XXXX Draft Environmental Impact Statement ESA Endangered Species Act, as amended FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act MNPL Maximum Net Productivity Level NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration OSP Optimum Sustainable Population RIR Regulatory Impact Review RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act Summary
Social and Cultural Consequences. Alternative 1 could impact traditional Native culture in at least two ways. Alaska Natives who have recently participated in the hunting of CI beluga whales would not have the opportunity to harvest this resource. Native hunters have expressed their belief that traditional hunting skills and knowledge must be passed on first-hand. Social standing within the Native community is based, in part, on whaling activities. Whaling captains, and those who secure and distribute Native foods, are highly regarded. Those hunters who have relied on beluga whales as part of their annual Native food source, or for money through sale of edible portions, would be adversely affected by this alternative. The cultural aspects of this harvest may erode under this alternative if it were implemented for an extended period of time. However, it is doubtful that the traditional skills and knowledge associated with this xxxx would be lost based on the one year implementation of this alternative. Nonetheless, it has been emphasized to NMFS by Native hunters that without direct experience in this harvest, these skills may not be taught and passed on with the consequence being that the skill levels of the hunters would eventually diminish.
