Walrus, Sea Otters and Polar Bears
Three Alaska marine mammal species are managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.
Polar bear cub Kaktovik, Alaska.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 gave NOAA Fisheries responsibility for the management and conservation of all but three species of marine mammals in Alaska. The MMPA gave the Department of Interior (DOI) management responsibility for polar bears, walrus, sea otters, manatees and dugongs. The DOI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 7, Alaska, Marine Mammals Management Office is responsible for management of the three Alaska species: polar bears, sea otters, and Pacific walrus. To find out more about those species please see the USFWS's website.