Legal regulation of the traditional (native) pacific walrus harvest in Russia

The article briefly reviewed studies of the Pacific walrus. This information is necessary for the development of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) since the native people of Chukotka annually harvest this subspecies of walrus. We have drawn attention to the long-term change in the habitat of the walrus, i.e., to the reduction of the ice period in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and possible consequences for the walrus (increased mortality and epizootics). Legal acts for the fisheries are regulating the traditional (native) walrus harvest on Chukotka, and the capture of walrus calves for educational and cultural purposes have been described. A scheme for the development of the TAC for walrus has been discussed as well. We have presented the latest data on allocated quotas and actual walrus catch. The need for more detailed and versatile research of walrus in connection with climate change is discussed. The author suggests cooperation between the native people of Chukotka and various research institutions for the better-organized study of the walrus in relation to climate change, for conservation and rational use.