---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1153"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1153"
heading: "Sealing permitted by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1153"
units:
  - "Chapter 24 — Conservation and Protection of North Pacific Fur Seals"
  - "Subchapter I — Fur Seal Management"
---

# §1153. Sealing permitted by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians

- (a) Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who dwell on the coasts of the [North Pacific Ocean](/usc/16/1151.md?p=g) are permitted to [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) [fur seals](/usc/16/1151.md?p=d) and dispose of their skins after the skins have been officially marked and certified by a [person](/usc/16/1151.md?p=i) authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1151.md?p=l): Provided, That the seals are taken for subsistence uses as defined in [section 1379(f)(2) of this title](/usc/16/1379.md?p=f-2), and only in canoes not transported by or used in connection with other vessels, and propelled entirely by oars, paddles, or sails, and manned by not more than five [persons](/usc/16/1151.md?p=i) each, in the way hitherto practiced and without the use of firearms. This authority shall not apply to Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos while they are employed by any [person](/usc/16/1151.md?p=i) for the purpose of [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) [fur seals](/usc/16/1151.md?p=d) or are under contract to deliver the skins to any [person](/usc/16/1151.md?p=i).
- (b) Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who live on the [Pribilof Islands](/usc/16/1151.md?p=j) are authorized to [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) [fur seals](/usc/16/1151.md?p=d) for subsistence purposes as defined in [section 1379(f)(2) of this title](/usc/16/1379.md?p=f-2), under such conditions as recommended by the [Commission](/usc/16/1151.md?p=a) and accepted by the Secretary of State pursuant to regulations promulgated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1151.md?p=l).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–702, title I, § 103, Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1091; Pub. L. 98–129, § 2, Oct. 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 836.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1983—Pub. L. 98–129 amended section generally, substituting provisions authorizing sealing by Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians, which were previously contained in section 1152 of this title, for provisions authorizing scientific research on fur seal resources. See section 1154 of this title.