Alaska Native Harbor Seal
Commission
Commission
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Biosampling Program
The ANHSC biosampling program was initiated in 1996 and has since
certified 155 biosamplers from 40 villages in Alaska to take scientific
samples from the seals that they hunt. So far our biosamplers have
collected samples from over 500 harbor seals. These samples are all
archived at the University of Alaska Museum and are used in a variety
of ongoing research projects.
A important component of this program is encouraging the
involvement of Alaska Native Youth. This program provides a forum
for hunters to pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation,
and engages our youth in science and fosters their sense of
stewardship of our natural resources.
Research collaborators:
ADF&G uses stomachs and blubber samples to investigate harbor
seal diet, as well as using the teeth for an age structure study.
Alaska Sea Life Center uses reproductive tracts to examine:
(a) reproductive rate
(b) Transfer of contaminants from mothers to pups
(c) plans to analyze tissues for heavy metals contaminant burdens
National Marine Fisheries Service (SWFSC, NMFS)
uses the samples in a genetic study to determine stock identification.
What are the samples used for?
Skin: genetic studies to examine stock identity and to understand
how closely related harbor seals are in different parts of the state.
Blubber: for diet and contaminant level studies
Teeth: age determination
Whiskers: stable isotope studies to identify changes in diet
Stomach: short-term diet
Skull: morphometric studies (size comparison relative to age; species
verification)
Kidney/Liver: contaminant levels of heavy metals
Below is an example of the form that certified hunters use to
document samples from their harvested Seal
The ANHSC biosampling program was initiated in 1996 and has since
certified 155 biosamplers from 40 villages in Alaska to take scientific
samples from the seals that they hunt. So far our biosamplers have
collected samples from over 500 harbor seals. These samples are all
archived at the University of Alaska Museum and are used in a variety
of ongoing research projects.
A important component of this program is encouraging the
involvement of Alaska Native Youth. This program provides a forum
for hunters to pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation,
and engages our youth in science and fosters their sense of
stewardship of our natural resources.
Research collaborators:
ADF&G uses stomachs and blubber samples to investigate harbor
seal diet, as well as using the teeth for an age structure study.
Alaska Sea Life Center uses reproductive tracts to examine:
(a) reproductive rate
(b) Transfer of contaminants from mothers to pups
(c) plans to analyze tissues for heavy metals contaminant burdens
National Marine Fisheries Service (SWFSC, NMFS)
uses the samples in a genetic study to determine stock identification.
What are the samples used for?
Skin: genetic studies to examine stock identity and to understand
how closely related harbor seals are in different parts of the state.
Blubber: for diet and contaminant level studies
Teeth: age determination
Whiskers: stable isotope studies to identify changes in diet
Stomach: short-term diet
Skull: morphometric studies (size comparison relative to age; species
verification)
Kidney/Liver: contaminant levels of heavy metals
Below is an example of the form that certified hunters use to
document samples from their harvested Seal
