Gulf of Alaska | Mammals
Chugach Imaq Project: Developing marine mammal co-management and tribal ecological research programs in Prince William Sound Presenter: Raven Cunningham , raven@crrcalaska.org
Allison Carl , acarl@crrcalaska.org, Chugach Regional Resources Commision Dustin Carl , dustin@crrcalaska.org, Chugach Regional Resources Commision Emily Mailman , emily@alutiiqprideak.org, Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute Annette Jarosz , annette@alutiiqprideak.org, Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute Erin Shew , erin@crrcalaska.org Willow Hetrick-Price , willow@crrcalaska.org Maile Branson , maile@alutiiqprideak.org, Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Marine mammals are an important component of the ecosystems in coastal regions of southcentral Alaska. These animals are also a key part of Alaska Native life, and the foundation of many rich cultural traditions. The Chugach Imaq Project is a culturally competent co-management plan of marine mammal species within the Chugach region of southcentral Alaska. This project is led by the Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC) with co-management relationships between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service and aims to improve the conservation and sustainable management of marine mammals in a rural and remote region where Indigenous people remain reliant on these animals. CRRC anticipates the creation of cooperative agreements that embody the spirit of subsistence users and traditions, while supplementing important sociocultural, environmental, biological, and harvest monitoring research. Pilot components of this project include collection of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), aerial surveys, and diet analyses. These research efforts will initially be focused in the Native Village of Eyak, with biological sampling efforts encompassing the eastern portion of Prince William Sound. TEK will be collected through interviews with Tribal members and will cover ecological topics including important subsistence species and perceived changes in the ecosystem. Surveys will be conducted via unmanned aerial systems and manned aircraft. Dietary analyses will include two components; 1) hard part analyses of stomach contents (provided by subsistence hunters) and 2) metagenomic analyses of stomach contents. The results of these study efforts will be used to create a wholistic picture of marine mammals, people, and the environment in an underrepresented region of Alaska.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 29
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