In 2006, we worked with the Old Harbor Tribal Council and sea lion hunters to develop the Alaska Native Hunters Photographic Guide to Sea Lion Biosampling. This is a photographic guide to sea lion biosampling and walks through the process of how to collect the samples and why those samples are important.

The intent of this to give sea lion hunters the tools and information necessary to collect quality biological samples from subsistence hunted or dead stranded sea lions. These samples can provide critical insight into areas such as sea lion reproductive health, contaminant burden, nutritional status, genetics, stress and disease presence and prevalence.

Through a cooperative agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service signed in 2008, we have funding to conduct a limited sea lion biosampling program.

Later, with samples collected through the program, through a collaboration between the University of Alaska Fairbanks, TASSC and NMFS, the hair and liver samples will be analyzed for mercury, methyl mercury and selenium levels.

If you are interested in sea lion biosampling, please contact us at 1-800-474-4362 or via email at ljack@seaotter-sealion.org.

Updated 6 August 2009