Fishermen: Do Not Shoot Seals and Sea Lions

Don't harm your fishery for all. Shooting seals and sea lions is against the law unless you are an Alaska Native subsistence harvesting for food or handicraft.

Alaska

All marine mammals, including seals and sea lions, are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). It is illegal to shoot seals or sea lions unless you are an Alaska Native and the take is for subsistence purposes (food or handicraft) and is not accomplished in a wasteful manner.

Illegal shooting of a seal or sea lion may result in:

Paying civil penalties greater than $29,000 per count
Spending up to a year in jail
Paying criminal fines
Forfeiture of your vessel
Harming your fishery's good reputation.

Report Violations

To report a marine mammal violation, call 1- (800) 853-1964. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement provides live operator coverage 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

More Information

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 11/30/2020

Steller Sea Lion Harbor Seal California Sea Lion Marine Mammal Protection Act

Fishermen: Do Not Shoot Seals and Sea Lions

Illegal shooting of a seal or sea lion may result in:

Report Violations

More Information

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