Arctic Imperative Summit SAVOONGA Science and TEK Arctic Imperative Summit RESOURCES - George Noongwook –

Beaufort Sea Chukchi Sea ALASKA RUSSIA Savoonga Bering Sea Girdwood

EXTREMES Longest lived mammal (~ 150 yr) Late age at sexual maturity (~20 yr) Low body temperature (~92 F) Longest baleen (~16 ft) Thickest blubber (35”) Best tasting

Spring time = heavy ice = active whaling = ice extent

Fall time = active whaling = ice extent

Traditional Knowledge of the Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) around Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission / Native Village of Savoonga Private Consultant – Eagle River North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management - Barrow, AK

TEK bowhead whale surveys indicated: 2 migratory routes recognized Changes in abundance and distribution Timing / direction of migrations Identified migratory “staging area” Identified several local feeding area Increasing numbers of “ingutuks” or sub-adults

Migrations Staging Area

Mechanism Connecting Change to Impact Ecological Change Impact/ Response Mediator e.g. politics, regulation, inertia e.g. economic/social system, personal choice, culture e.g. climate

Angyaq The Native people of Savoonga forever rely on marine mammals for food and domestic needs. We will continue this tradition.

Hauling up a whale

Subsistence camp

Savoonga: 2005-2006 Percent total subsistence harvest

Savoonga: 2005-2006 # days per week, subsistence food use

Satellite-tagged bowhead locations and MODIS sea ice images March 2009

The Tribe has regulated the taking of marine mammals in a respectful & non-wasteful manner (Consistent with MMPA, Constitution, and By-laws of the Native Village of Savoonga 1934)

Survival depends upon community cooperation and sharing the marine mammal harvest

All of our harvests!

CONCERNS/THREATS Environmental Loss of marine mammal habitat Less availability of marine subsistence resources Subsistence resources less accessible – less predictable Longer travel in open seas – increase cost / increase risk Health of marine resources Disease Changing ecosystem: “new” animals / competition Environmental concerns due to warming climate: not particularly that there are less animals…just less access/opportunity for harvest. Less predictable timing, more open water travel, more gas to burn (and more expensive gas!) increasing the costs – and risks – to families. Health of the animals – new diseases brought in with animals traveling more, also new animals (sea lions, new fishes, etc) that will compete with existing system. Also, predation by killer whales (and sharks) may occur more often in the now longer open water period.

CONCERNS/THREATS Industrial Oil spills Ship strikes Acoustic disturbance / deflection Entanglement / marine trash Hazards to maritime subsistence activities

OPPORTUNITY Environmental Fall whaling (1990) Whale harvest Julian date

OPPORTUNITY Industrial Direct communication with transiting vessels Training / education Mitigation measures Monitoring / other science opportunities Local employment Involvement in policy-making Tribal government representation

Acknowledgements Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, Captains / Crews Barrow Whaling Captains Association Savoonga Whaling Captains Association North Slope Borough, Wildlife Department Mayor’s Office, North Slope Borough University of Washington Colorado State University NOAA / National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks – Marine Advisory Program Texas A&M University BP and Conoco-Phillips

Igamsiqanaghalek!