| SEA OTTER HISTORY/BIOLOGY |
| The sea otter is a commonly seen around the coast of Alaska’s coast. Alaska’s sea otter has expanded from a few hundred to around the turn of the century to nearly the entire coast from Southeast up to the Bering Sea. Several hundred were transplanted to southeast in the mid 1960’s and these small transplant populations have grown exponentially. Sea otter now occupy most of the outside coast along the Panhandle and have been sighted along the Inside Passage. Sea otter are used by the Southeast Natives including the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and are used for clothing, bedding and on important chief’s capes and robes. It was this dense and plush fur which brought European trade ships to the Northwest. The high demand for this fur led to ever-increasing takes and the near extinction of sea otters by the turn of the century. By 1911, sea otter furs brought $1000 each while other furs, at the most brought $100. Sea otter numbers have increased and several groups of sea otter were transplanted to waters along Alaska’s outer coast. They have rebounded and populations now range between 100.000 and 200,000. Sea otter are now healthy and abundant in Alaska’s waters. |
| How do I know if they are legal sea otter arts and crafts? Answer: Sea otte r are sent only to commercial tanneries who are registered with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The tanneries must check that the sea otter pelts are sent in only by Alaska Natives. |
| How can I tell what is hand made by an Alaska Native? Answer: Look for the silver hand label which indicates the item was made by an Alaskan Native. |
| ADDITIONAL LINKS |
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| Permit #2273 |
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