An Alaska state senator is proposing a bounty on sea otters.
Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) doesn't see the animals as the cute critters that delight tourists but rather as a threat to shellfish beds in Alaska.
Stedman has introduced legislation that would have the state pay $100 for each sea otter lawfully killed under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
He says he's not talking about eradication but slowing the population growth. He says he also wants to send a message to the federal government that something needs to be done.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman says the bill, if it were to pass, would be unenforceable under the federal law.
Bruce Woods says the agency understands fishermen concerns but says its management decisions must be guided by science.
Stedman Proposes Bounty on Sea Otters
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JUNEAU, Alaska—
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Gerald Grappi at 6:27 AM February 24, 2013
Seems to me that the Otter's & all other wildlife of this planet did just fine until Humans came along. Rethink where the Bounty should be.
akfishing1 at 9:25 PM February 22, 2013
wow! this state rep is pushing something that would benefit his back yard. which won't work by the way. perhaps he should implement something that effects more than his livelihood. what about the high sea's fishing industry's salmon by-catch. many alaskan's are affected by the fishing restrictions this state places on alaska's rivers. why can't he push for a ban or a few year hault to the high sea's fishing industry? maybe we will see a surge of returning salmon into the river's.
