Humane Observer Report - 2009 Fur Seal Harvest on St. Paul Island

The northern fur seal subsistence harvests of 2009 proceeded humanely and without incident. A total of seven harvests occurred during the course of the season, four harvests occurred prior to 1 August, and were scheduled every Friday during the 6-week harvest season. Spreading the harvest effort more evenly across the season seems to have allowed a portion of family orders to be filled prior to the final days of the harvest season. Many changes to the harvest organization and implementation over the last two years have resulted in marked improvements in the harvest.