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.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 21, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R. 8401 would change the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow certain sea otter–related products from Alaska to be traded. Specifically, it would permit the transport, buying, selling, and offering to buy or sell pelts from northern sea otters in the Southcentral and Southeast Alaska stocks when the otters are taken for subsistence purposes under existing law, and it would allow the transport, buying, selling, and exporting of handicrafts, garments, and art made from those pelts. The bill would apply regardless of whether the products are traditional or contemporary or whether they have been altered significantly. It affects Alaska residents and other parties involved in handling and selling those products, while keeping the underlying subsistence taking requirements intact. The bill was introduced in the House on April 21, 2026, and it has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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