To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes.

Sponsor: Nicholas J. Begich (Republican-AK)April 21, 2026

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Lets Alaskans sell sea otter pelts and crafts from subsistence hunting

This bill would let people in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska legally sell sea otter pelts and crafts from otters they hunt for food or cultural needs. Right now, federal law limits these activities. This change would allow these communities to legally sell pelts and crafts, offering new ways to use resources from subsistence hunting.

What Would Change

Today, federal law restricts or prohibits the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts and products from northern sea otters, even if they were hunted for subsistence. If this bill becomes law, these activities would be explicitly allowed for northern sea otters taken for subsistence in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska.

Key Provisions

Lets people transport, buy, and sell pelts from northern sea otters hunted for subsistence in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska.
Lets people transport, buy, sell, and export crafts, clothing, and art made from these sea otter pelts, whether they are traditional or modern.

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HR 8401 · 119th Congress · April 21, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity