Fur Seal Act Amendments of 1983
PL 98-129 (H.R.2840), enacted 10/14/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 835 
Public Law 98-129 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the orderly termination of Federal management of the Pribilof Islands, 
Alaska. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may 
be cited as the "Fur Seal Act Amendments of 1983". 
SEC. 2. The Act of November 2,1966 (Public Law 89-702; 16 U.S.C. 
1151-1187), known as the Fur Seal Act of 1966, is amended to read 
as follows: 
"TITLE I—FUR SEAL MANAGEMENT 
"SEC. 101. (a) 'Commission' means the North Pacific Fur Seal 
Commission established pursuant to article V of the Convention. 
"(b) 'Convention' means the Interim Convention on the Conserva-
tion of North Pacific Fur Seals signed at Washington on February 9, 
1957, as amended by the protocol signed in Washington on October 
8, 1963; by the exchange of notes among the party governments 
which became effective on September 3,1969; by the protocol signed 
in Washington on May 7, 1976; and by the protocol signed in 
Washington on October 14,1980, by the parties. 
"(c) 'Cure' or 'curing' means the performance of those post-harvest 
activities traditionally performed on the Pribilof Islands, including 
cooling, washing, removal of blubber, soaking in brine, draining, 
treating with salt or boric acid, and packing in containers for 
shipment of fur seal skins. 
"(d) 'Fur Seal' means the North Pacific Fur Seal, Callorhinus 
Ursinus. 
"(e) 'Import' means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or 
attempt to land on, bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to 
the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not such landing, 
bringing, or introduction constitutes an importation within the 
meaning of the customs laws of the United States. 
"(f) 'Natives of the Pribilof Islands' means any Aleuts who are 
permanent residents of the Pribilof Islands, or any organization or 
entity representing such natives. 
"(g) 'North Pacific Ocean' means the waters of the Pacific Ocean 
north of the thirtieth parallel of north latitude, including the 
Bering, Okhotsk, and Japan Seas. 
"(h) 'Party' or 'parties' means the United States of America, 
Canada, Japan, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 
"(i) 'Person' means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, 
association or any other private entity, or any officer, employee, 
agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, 
of any State or political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign 
government. 
"(j) 'Pribilof Islands' means the islands of Saint Paul and Saint 
George, Walrus and Otter Islands, and Sea Lion Rock. 
"(k) 'Sealing' means the taking of fur seals. 
Oct. 14, 1983 
[H.R. 2840] 
Fur Seal Act 
Amendments of 
1983. 
16 u s e 1151 
note. 
Definitions. 
16 u s e 1151. 
8 UST 2283. 
15 UST 316. 
20 UST 2992. 
27 UST 3371. 
97 STAT. 836 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
Unlawful 
activities. 
16 use 1152. 
Authorization of 
fur seals for 
subsistence. 
16 use 1153. 
Scientific 
research and 
investigations. 
16 u s e 1154. 
Regulations. 
16 use 1155. 
"(1) 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce. 
"(m) 'Take' or 'taking' means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or 
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill. 
"SEC. 102. It is unlawful, except as provided in this Act or by 
regulation of the Secretary, for any person or vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States to engage in the taking of fur seals 
in the North Pacific Ocean or on lands or waters under the jurisdic-
tion of the United States, or to use any port or harbor or other place 
under the jurisdiction of the United States for any purpose con-
nected in any way with such taking, or for any person to transport, 
import, offer for sale, or possess at any port or place or on any 
vessel, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, fur seals or 
the parts thereof, including, but not limited to, raw, dressed, or dyed 
fur seal skins, taken contrary to the provisions of this Act or the 
Convention, or for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States to refuse to permit, except within the Exclusive 
Economic Zone of the United States, a duly authorized official of 
Canada, Japan, or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to board 
and search any vessel which is outfitted for the harvesting of living 
marine resources and which is subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States to determine whether such vessel is engaged in 
sealing contrary to the provisions of said Convention, 
"SEC. 103. (a) Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who dwell on the 
coasts of the North Pacific Ocean are permitted to take fur seals and 
dispose of their skins after the skins have been officially marked and 
certified by a person authorized by the Secretary: Provided, That the 
seals are taken for subsistence uses as defined in section 109(f)(2) of 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1379), 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 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 for the purpose of taking fur seals or are under contract 
to deliver the skins to any person. 
"(b) Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who live on the Pribilof Islands 
are authorized to take fur seals for subsistence purposes as defined 
in section 109(f)(2) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1379), under such conditions as recommended by 
the Commission and accepted by the Secretary of State pursuant to 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary. 
"SEC. 104. The Secretary shall (1) conduct such scientific research 
and investigations on the fur seal resources of the North Pacific 
Ocean as he deems necessary to carry out the obligations of the 
United States under the Convention, and (2) permit, subject to such 
terms and conditions as he deems desirable, the taking, transporta-
tion, importation, exportation, or possession of fur seals or their 
parte for educational, scientific, or exhibition purposes. 
"SEC. 105. (a) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations with 
respect to the taking of fur seals on the Pribilof Islands and on lands 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States as he deems neces-
sary and appropriate for the conservation, management, and protec-
tion of the fur seal population, and to dispose of any fur seals seized 
or forfeited pursuant to this Act, and to carry out the provisions of 
the Convention, and shall deliver to authorized agents of the parties 
such fur seal skins as the parties are entitled to under the 
Convention. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 837 
"(b) The Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements with any 
public or private agency or person for the purpose of carrying out 
the provisions of the Convention and of this title, including but not 
limited to the taking of fur seals on the Pribilof Islands, and the 
curing and marketing of the sealskins and other seal parts, and may 
retain the proceeds therefrom. 
"(c) The Secretary shall give preference to the village corporations 
of Saint Paul and Saint George Islands established pursuant to 
section 8 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Public Law 
92-208) for the taking of fur seals on the village corporations' 
respective islands, and the curing and marketing of the sealskins 
and other seal parts, and may retain the proceeds therefrom. Any 
proceeds therefrom will be deposited in a separate fund in the 
Treasury and will be available to the Secretary, subject to appropri-
ations, for the purpose of this section. All seal harvests will be 
financed, to the extent possible, from proceeds collected in preceding 
years or unsold assets retained from harvests conducted in preced-
ing years. In the event that such assets and proceeds are insuffi-
cient, as determined by the Secretary, to finance the seal harvest in 
accordance with the requirements of the Convention, there are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 1984, 
and for fiscal year 1985 and beyond if the Convention is extended by 
protocol signed by the parties and made effective as to the United 
States, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the harvest and 
curing on the Pribilof Islands. Such amounts as are determined by 
the Secretary to exceed amounts required to carry out this section 
shall be transferred to the General Fund of the Treasury. 
"SEC. 106. (a) Any person authorized to enforce the provisions of 
this Act who has reasonable cause to believe that any vessel outfit-
ted for the harvesting of living marine resources and subject to the 
jurisdiction of any of the parties to the Convention is violating the 
provisions of article III of the Convention may, except within the 
areas in which another State exercises fisheries jurisdiction, board 
and search such vessel. Such person shall carry a special certificate 
of identification issued by the Secretary or Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating which shall be in 
English, Japanese, and Russian and which shall be exhibited to the 
master of the vessel upon request. 
"(b) If, after boarding and searching such vessel, such person 
continues to have reasonable cause to believe that such vessel, or 
any person onboard, is violating said article, he may seize such 
vessel or arrest such person, or both. The Secretary of State shall, as 
soon as practicable, notify the party having jurisdiction over the 
vessel or person of such seizure or arrest. 
"The Secretary or the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating, upon request of the Secretary of State, 
shall deliver the seized vessel or arrested person, or both, as 
promptly as practicable to the authorized officials of said party: 
Provided, That whenever said party cannot immediately accept such 
delivery, the Secretary or the Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating may, upon the request of the Secretary 
of State, keep the vessel or person in custody within the United 
States. 
"(c) At the request of said party, the Secretary or the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall direct 
the person authorized to enforce the provisions of this Act to attend 
the trial as a witness in any case arising under said article or give 
Agreements. 
St. Paul and St. 
Greorge Islands. 
43 u s e 1607. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
Enforcement. 
16 u s e 1156. 
Specied 
certificate of 
identification. 
Seizure or arrest. 
Enforcement. 
97 STAT. 838 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
Presidential 
appointments. 
16 u s e 1157. 
Compensation. 
Travel expenses 
and per diem. 
5 u s e 5703. 
Recommendations. 
16 u s e 1158. 
Technical 
assistance. 
16 u s e 1159. 
testimony by deposition, and shall produce such records and files or 
copies thereof as may be necessary to establish the offense. 
"SEC. 107. The President shall appoint to the Commission a 
United States Commissioner who shall serve at the pleasure of the 
President. The President may appoint one Native from each of the 
two inhabited Pribilof Islands to serve as Advisors to the Commis-
sioner and as liaisons between the Commissioner and the Natives of 
the Pribilof Islands. The President may also appoint other inter-
ested parties as Advisors to the Commissioner. Such Advisors shall 
serve at the pleasure of the President. The President may also 
appoint a Deputy United States Commissioner who shall serve at 
the pleasure of the President. The Deputy Commissioner shall be 
the principal adviser of the Commissioner, and shall perform the 
duties of the Commissioner in the case of his death, resignation, 
absence, or illness. The Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, 
and the Advisors shall receive no compensation for their services. 
The Commissioners may be paid traval expenses and per diem in 
lieu of subsistence at the rates authorized by section 5 of the 
Administrative Expense Act of 1946 when engaged in the perform-
ance of their duties. 
"SEC. 108. The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary, is authorized to accept or reject, on behalf of the United 
States, recommendations made by the Commission pursuant to 
article V of the Convention. 
"SEC. 109. The head of any Federal agency is authorized to consult 
with and provide technical assistance to the Secretary or the Com-
mission whenever such assistance is needed and reasonably can be 
furnished in carrying out the provisions of this title. Any Federal 
agency furnishing assistance hereunder may expend its own funds 
for such purposes, with or without reimbursement. 
16 u s e 1161. 
94 Stat. 2500. 
Ante, p. 835. 
16 u s e 1162. 
Education. 
16 u s e 1163. 
"TITLE II—ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS 
"SEC. 201. The Secretary shall administer the fur seal rookeries 
and other Federal real and personal property on the Pribilof Islands, 
with the exception of lands purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service under section 1417 of the Alaska National Interest Lands 
Conservation Act (Public Law 96-487) or acquired or purchased by 
any other authority after enactment of the Fur Seal Act Amend-
ments of 1983 and, in consultation with the Secretary of the In-
terior, shall ensure that activities on such Islands are consistent 
with the purposes of conserving, managing, and protecting the North 
Pacific fur seals and other wildlife and for other purposes consistent 
with that primary purpose. 
"SEC. 202. In carrying out the provisions of this title, the Secretary 
is authorized— 
"(1) to operate, maintain, and repair such Government-owned 
property, both real and personal, and other facilities held by the 
Secretary on the Pribilof Islands as may be necessary; and 
"(2) to provide the employees of the Department of Commerce 
and other Federal agencies and their dependents, at reasonable 
rates to be determined by the Secretary, with such facilities, 
services, and equipment as he deems necessary, including, but 
not limited to, food, fuel, shelter, and transportation. 
"SEC. 203. The State of Alaska will be responsible for meeting the 
educational needs of the citizens of the Pribilof Islands. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 839 
"SEC. 204. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
provide medical and dental care to the Natives of the Pribilof 
Islands with or without reimbursement, as provided by other law. 
He is authorized to provide such care to Federal employees and their 
dependents and tourists and other persons in the Pribilof Islands at 
reasonable rates to be determined by him. He may purchase, lease, 
construct, operate, and maintain such facilities, supplies, and equip-
ment as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
section; and the costs of such items, including medical and dental 
care, shall be charged to the budget of the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as supersed-
ing or limiting the authority and responsibility of the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services under the Act of August 5, 1954, as 
amended, or any other law with respect to medical and dental care 
of natives or other persons in the Pribilof Islands. 
"SEC. 205. (a) Any provision of law relating to the transfer and 
disposal of Federal property to the contrary notwithstanding, the 
Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating, is authorized to bargain, 
grant, sell or otherwise convey, on such terms as he deems to be in 
the best interests of the United States and in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act, any and all right, title, and interest of the 
United States in and to the property, both real and personal, held by 
the Secretary on the Pribilof Islands: Provided, That such property 
is specified in a document entitled 'Transfer of Property on the 
Pribilof Islands: Descriptions, Terms and Conditions,' which is sub-
mitted to the Congress on or before October 31,1983. 
"(b) The property transfer document described in subsection (a) 
shall include, but need not be limited to— 
"(1) a description of each conveyance; 
"(2) the terms to be imposed on each conveyance; 
"(3) designation of the recipient of each conveyance; 
"(4) a statement noting acceptance of each conveyance, in-
cluding the terms, if any, under which it is accepted; and 
"(5) an identification of all Federal property to be retained by 
the Federal Government on the Pribilof Islands to meet its 
responsibilities as described in this Act and under the 
Convention. 
"(c) Within 60 days of the transfer of real or personal property 
specified in the document described in subsection (a), the Committee 
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate shall be given a report prepared by the Secretary stating 
the fair market value at the time of the transfer of all real and 
personal property conveyed. 
"(d) A Memorandum of Understanding shall be entered into by 
the Secretary, a representative of the local governmental authority 
on each Island, the trustee or trustees, and the appropriate officer of 
the State of Alaska setting forth the respective responsibilities of 
the Federal Government, the Trust, and the State regarding— 
"(1) application of Federal retirement benefits, severance pay, 
and insurance benefits with respect to Natives of the Pribilof 
Islands; 
"(2) funding to be allocated by the State of Alaska for the 
construction of boat harbors on St. Paul and St. George Islands; 
Medical and 
dental care. 
16 u s e 1164. 
42 use 
2001-2004b. 
Federal 
property, 
transfer and 
disposal. 
16 u s e 1165. 
Document. 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
Memorandum of 
Understanding. 
97 STAT. 840 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
Memorandum 
submittal to 
Congress. 
Tax exemption. 
Agreements. 
Ante. p. 835. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Pribilof Islands 
Trust. 
16 u s e 1166. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
Distribution of 
funds. 
"(3) assumption of the State of Alaska of traditional State 
responsibilities for facilities and services on such islands in 
accordance with applicable laws and regulations; 
"(4) preservation of wildlife resources within the Secretary's 
jurisdiction; 
"(5) continued activities relating to the implementation of the 
Convention; 
"(6) oversight of the operation of the Trust established by 
section 206(a) to further progress toward creation of a stable, 
diversified, and enduring economy not dependent on commer-
cial fur sealing; 
"(7) the cooperation of government agencies, rendered 
through existing programs, in assisting with an orderly transi-
tion from Federal management and the creation of a private 
enterprise economy on the Pribilof Islands as described in this 
Act; and 
"(8) such other matters as may be necessary and appropriate 
for carrjdng out the purposes of the Act, including the assump-
tion of responsibilities to ensure an orderly transition from 
Federal management of the Pribilof Islands. 
The Memorandum shall be submitted to Congress on or before 
October 31,1983. 
"(e) The grant, sale, transfer or conveyance of any real or personal 
property pursuant to this section shall not be subject to any form of 
Federal, State or local taxation. The basis for computing gain or loss 
on subsequent sale or disposition of such real or personal property 
for purposes of any Federal, State or local tax imposed on, or 
measured by revenue shall be the fair market value of such real or 
personal property at the time of receipt. 
"(f) In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary is 
authorized to enter into agreements, including but not limited to 
land exchange agreements with other Departments and Agencies of 
both the State and Federal Governments, and with third parties, 
notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the transfer and 
disposal of Federal property to the contrary; except that the author-
ity of the Secretary of the Interior regarding exchanges involving 
lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System on the date of enact-
ment of the Fur Seal Act Amendments of 1983 is not affected by this 
section. 
"(g) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report, no later than 
October 1,1983, providing information on the status of the negotia-
tions for concluding the documents described in subsections (a) and 
(d) of this section. 
"SEC. 206. (aXD In order to promote the development of a steble, 
self-sufficient enduring and diversified economy not dependent on 
sealing, the Secretary shall cause to be established a Trust for the 
benefit of the Natives of the Pribilof Islands, to be known as the 
'Pribilof Islands Trust' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Trust'). 
"(2) All amounts appropriated to the Secretary under subsection 
(e) of this section shml be transferred by the Secretai^ to the Trust 
within fifteen days after submission of the Trust instrument to 
Congress in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c). 
"(3) Except as provided in subsection (eX2), none of the amounts 
transferred to the Trust pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be distrib-
uted by the trustee or trustees for the benefit of the Natives of the 
Pribilof Islands until 30 days after submission to Congress of the 
documents described in section 205 (a) and (d). Such distributions 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 841 
shall be made by the trustee or trustees only after the Secretary has 
determined that such Trust has been established and will be oper-
ated in accordance with a trust instrument, or instruments, ap-
proved by the Secretary which further the purposes and policies of 
this Act. 
"(4) Until the termination of the period described in paragraph (3), 
the trustee or trustees shall invest the amounts transferred pursu-
ant to paragraph (2) in securities with maturities suitable for the 
needs of the Trust, bearing interest rates at rates determined by the 
trustee or trustees, taking into consideration average market yields 
on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of com-
parable maturities. The income from such investments shall be 
credited to, and form a part of the Trust. 
"(b) The Trust shall be administered in accordance with such 
terms and conditions as are prescribed by the Secretary, and as set 
forth in the Trust instrument. In establishing such terms and 
conditions, the Secretary shall consult with the Natives of the 
Pribilof Islands, and other interested parties concerning the conser-
vation, management and protection of the fur seal population. 
"(c) There may be one Trust instrument establishing the Trust 
described in section 206(a), or two such instuments, each relating to 
one of the two portions of the Trust as provided in subsection (d), 
which shall address, but need not be limited to, such matters as— 
"(1) establishing standards and procedures for the disburse-
ment by the trustee or trustees of Trust assets for purposes of 
fostering in the Pribilof Islands a stable, diversified, and endur-
ing economy not dependent upon sealing after Federal manage-
ment of the islands is terminated, which procedures may 
include formal participation of Pribilof Islands Native councils, 
corporations, or other such entities; 
(2) establishing the Secretary as trustor; 
"(3) establishing the procedure for appointment of the trustee 
or trustees by the Secretary after consultation with the Natives 
of the Pribilof Islands; 
"(4) setting forth the rights, duties, powers and obligations of 
a trustee who shall act as an independent fiduciary and who 
shall be a United States citizen having recognized competence 
in business; 
"(5) providing for the management and investment of Trust 
assets, pending distribution, by an investment manager or advi-
sor, who may be the trustee, having recognized competence in 
such fields; 
"(6) establishing methods and procedures for providing Con-
gress and the Secretary with the annual reports described in 
subsection (g) of this section; 
"(7) establishing Trust purposes in accordance with the pur-
poses described in section 201 of this Act and subsection (a) of 
this section; 
"(8) the duties of the trustee or trustees and the standards of 
care and diligence that shall govern the exercise of trust powers 
thereunder; 
"(9) compensation of the trustee or trustees; 
"(10) the term, termination and final distribution of the Trust 
estate; 
"(11) mandating the applicability of the laws of the State of 
Alaska to the creation and governance of the Trust; 
"(12) defrajring of community expenses; and 
Investments. 
Terms and 
conditions. 
Instruments 
establishing 
Trust. 
97 STAT. 842 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
Submittal to 
Congress. 
St. Paul and 
St. George 
communities. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Interest. 
Annual report 
submittal. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Tax exemption. 
Agreements, 
contracts, or 
leases. 
16 u s e 1167. 
16 u s e 1168. 
5 u s e 8331 et 
seq. 
Annuities. 
"(13) payment of necessary administrative and legal expenses. 
The Trust instrument or instruments described in this subsection 
shall be submitted to Congress on or before October 14, 1983. 
"(d) The Trust shall be divided into two portions pursuant to a 
formula established by the Secretary after consultation with the 
natives of both Islands, to be accounted for separately for the 
independent benefit of the community of St. Paul and the com-
munity of St. George. 
"(e)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
$20,000,000 for the purpose of funding the Trust in accordance with 
the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section. 
"(2) Prior to the termination of the period described in subsection 
(a)(3) of this section, the trustee or trustees may make interim 
distributions for the benefit of the Natives of the Pribilof Islands, 
upon approval of the Secretary, of up to five percent of the amounts 
transferred to the Trust pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section 
if, as determined by the Secretary, such interim distributions are 
required to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
"(f) The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption 
of, any asset or obligation held in the Trust shall be credited to and 
form a part of the Trust. 
"(g) The trustee or trustees shall submit to Congress and to the 
Secretary an annual report, the first of which is due on April 30, 
1984, and subsequent reports on the same date each year thereafter 
during the life of the Trust, providing information on expenditures 
made from the Trust and progress towards achieving the purposes 
set out in subsection (a) of this section. On April 30, 1986, the 
Secretary shall also submit a report to the Congress detailing all 
progress toward achieving these purposes since enactment of this 
Act. For purposes of preparing such report, the Secretary by regula-
tion may require that the trustee and the State of Alaska submit 
such relevant information to the Secretary as he deems appropriate. 
"(h) The funds appropriated to the Trust and the earnings and 
distribution therefrom shall not be subject to any form of Federal, 
State or local taxation: Provided, That this exemption shall not 
apply to any income from the investment or other use of such 
distributions. 
"SEC. 207. The Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements or 
contracts or leases with, or to issue permits to, any public or private 
agency or person for carrying out the provisions of the Convention 
or this Act. 
"SEC. 208. (a) Service by natives of the Pribilof Islands engaged in 
the taking and curing of fur seal skins and other activities in 
connection with the administration of such islands prior to January 
1,1950, as determined by the Secretary based on records available to 
him, shall be considered for purposes of credit under the Civil 
Service Retirement Act, as amended, as civilian service performed 
by an employee, as defined in said Act. 
"
O
t
>
) The annuity of any person or the annuity of the survivor of 
any person who shall have performed service described in subsection 
(a) of this section, and who, prior to November 2, 1966, died or shall 
have been retired on annuity payable from the civil service retire-
ment and disability fund, shall, upon application filed by the annu-
itant within one year after November 2, 1966, be adjusted, effective 
as of the first day of the month immediately following November 2, 
1966, so that the amount of the annuity shall be the same as if such 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 843 
subsection had been in effect at the time of such person's retirement 
or death. 
"(c) In no case shall credit for the service described in subsection 
(a) of this section entitle a person to the benefits of section 11(h) of 
the Civil Service Retirement Act. 
5 USC 8342. 
"(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act or any other 
law, benefits under the Civil Service Retirement Act made available 
fg^SC 8331 et 
by reason of the provisions of this section shall be paid from the civil 
service retirement and disability fund subject to reimbursement to 
such fund from the Operations, Research, and Facilities Account of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the 
Department of Commerce, for the purpose of compensating said 
retirement fund for the cost, as determined by the Civil Service 
Commission during each fiscal year, of benefits provided by this 
section. 
"SEC. 209. Chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, is amended as 
follows: 
"(a) by deleting 'Credit' in section 8332(b) and inserting in lieu 
5 use 8332. 
thereof the words 'Except as provided in paragraph (13) of this 
subsection, credit'; 
"(b) by adding in section 8332(b) after paragraph (12) the 
following new paragraph: 
'(13) one year of service to be credited for each year in 
which a Native of the Pribilof Islands performs service in 
the taking and curing of fur seal skins and other activities 
in connection with the administration of the Pribilof 
Islands, notwithstanding any period of separation from the 
service.'; 
"(c) by adding in section 8332(b) after 'paragraph (3) of this 
subsection.' the following sentence: 'The Office of Personnel 
Management shall accept the certification of the Secretary of 
Commerce or his designee concerning service for the purpose of 
this subchapter of the type performed by an employee named by 
paragraph (13) of this subsection.'; 
"(d) by adding in section 8332(f) after 'postal field service' the 
words 'and service described in paragraph (13) of subsection (b) 
of this section,'; 
"(e) by adding in section 8332(1)(1) the word 'or' at the end of 
clause (v) of subparagraph (B) thereof and by adding the follow-
ing new subparagraph: 
'(C) is of Aleut ancestry and while a citizen of the United 
States was interned or otherwise detained in, or relocated 
to any camp, installation, or other facility in the Territory 
of Alaska which was established during World War II for 
the purpose of the internment, detention, or relocation of 
Aleuts pursuant to any statute, rule, regulation, or order;'; 
and 
"(f) by amending paragraph (4) of section 8334(g) by striking 
5 USC 8334. 
'January 1,1950' and substituting the words 'October 29, 1983,' 
and adding after 'the Pribilof Islands' the words 'except where 
deductions, contributions, and deposits were made before Octo-
ber 29 1983' 
"SEC. 210. (a) "Title I of the Act of January 4,1975, Public Law 93-
638 (25 U.S.C. §§ 450-450m), known as the Indian Self-Determina-
tion and Education Assistance Act, is amended by adding in section 
105(e) after 'to be employed by a tribal organization' the words ', the 
25 use 450i. 
city of St. Paul, Alaska, the city of St. George, Alaska, upon incorpo-
97 STAT. 844 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
43 u s e 1607. 
25 use 450i 
note. 
5 use 8101 et 
seq., 8301 et seq., 
8501 et seq., 8701 
et seq. 
25 use 450i. 
Regulations. 
16 use 1169. 
ration, or the Village Corporations of St. Paul and St. George 
Islands established pursuant to section 8 of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (Public Law 92-203)'. 
"(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any Native of the 
Pribilof Islands employed by the Federal government on October 28, 
1983, shall be deemed to have been covered under chapters 81,83,85 
and 87 of title 5, United States Code, on such date for the purposes of 
determining eligibility for continuity of benefits under section 105(e) 
of the Act of January 4, 1975 (Public Law 93-638), known as the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. 
"SEC. 211. The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such regula-
tions as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. 
"TITLE III—ENFORCEMENT 
1
6 use 1171. 
"SEC. 301. (a) Every vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States that is employed in any manner in connection with a viola-
tion of the provision of this Act, including its tackle, apparel, 
furniture, appurtenances, cargo, and stores shall be subject to for-
feiture; and all fur seals, or parts thereof, taken or retained in 
violation of this Act, or the monetary value thereof, shall be 
forfeited. 
"(b) All provisions of law relating to the seizure, summary and 
judicial forfeiture, and condemnation of a vessel, including its 
tackle, apparel, furniture, appurtenances, cargo, and stores for vio-
lation of the customs laws, the disposition of such vessel, including 
its tackle, apparel, furniture, appurtenances, cargo, and stores or 
the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation 
of such forfeitures shall apply to seizures and forfeitures incurred, 
or alleged to have been incurred, under the provisions of this Act, 
insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act. 
1
6 use 1172. 
"SEC. 302. (a) Enforcement of the provisions of this Act is the joint 
responsibility of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating. In addition, the Secretary may designate officers and 
employees of the States of the United States to enforce the provi-
sions of this Act which relate to persons or vessels subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States. When so designated, such officers 
and employees are authorized to function as Federal law enforce-
ment agents for these purposes; but they shall not be held and 
considered as employees of the United States for the purpose of any 
laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management. 
Warrants. 
"(b) The judges of the United States district courts and United 
States magistrates may, within their respective jurisdictions, upon 
proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause, issue such war-
rants or other process, including warrants or other process issued in 
admiralty proceedings in Federal district courts, as may be required 
for enforcement of this Act and any regulations issued thereunder. 
"(c) Any person authorized to carry out enforcement activities 
hereunder shall have the power to execute any warrant or process 
issued by any officer or court of competent jurisdiction for the 
enforcement of this Act. 
"(d) Such person so authorized shall have the power— 
"(1) with or without a warrant or other process, to arrest any 
person committing in his presence or view a violation of this Act 
or the regulations issued thereunder; 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
97 STAT. 845 
"(2) with a warrant or other process or without a warrant, if 
he has reasonable cause to beheve that a vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States or any person onboard is in 
violation of any provision of this Act or the regulations issued 
thereunder, to search such vessel and to arrest such person. 
"(e) Such person so authorized may seize any vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, together with its tackle, apparel, 
furniture, appurtenances, cargo, and stores, used or employed con-
trary to the provisions of this Act or the regulations issued hereun-
der or which it reasonably appears has been used or employed 
contrary to the provisions of this Act or the regulations issued 
hereunder. 
"(f) Such person so authorized may seize, whenever and wherever 
lawfully found, all fur seals taken or retained in violation of this Act 
or the regulations issued thereunder. Any fur seals so seized or 
forfeited to the United States pursuant to this Act shall be disposed 
of in accordance with the provisions of section 105 of this Act. 
"SEC. 303. The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such regula-
tions as he deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the 
provisions of this title. 
"SEC. 304. (a) Any person who knowingly violates any provision of 
this Act or of any permit or regulation issued thereunder shall, upon 
conviction, be fined not more than $20,000 for such violation, or 
imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. 
"(b) Any person who violates any provision of this Act or any 
regulation or permit issued hereunder may be assessed a civil 
penalty by the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each such 
violation. No penalty shall be assessed unless such person is given 
notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to such violation. 
Hearings held during proceedings for the assessment of civil penal-
ties authorized by this subsection shall be conducted in accordance 
with section 554 of title 5. The Secretary may issue subpoenas for 
the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of 
relevant papers, books, and documents, and administer oaths. Wit-
nesses summoned shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are 
paid to witnesses in the courts of the United States. In case of 
contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena served upon any person 
pursuant to this paragraph, the district court of the United States 
for any district in which such person is found or resides or transacts 
business, upon application by the United States and after notice to 
such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such 
person to appear and give testimony before the Secretary or to 
appear and produce documents before the Secretary, or both, and 
any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such 
court as a contempt thereof. Any civil penalty assessed may be 
remitted or mitigated by the Secretary for good cause shown. Upon 
any failure to pay a penalty assessed under this subsection, the 
Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute civil action 
in a district court of the United States for any district in which such 
person is found, resides, or transacts business to collect the penalty, 
and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such 
action. 
"SEC. 305. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
operations, research, and facilities account of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration in the Department of Commerce, 
such sums as may be necessary, up to $2,000,000, for fiscal year 1984 
for the purpose of upgrading Federal property to be transferred 
Seizure of vessel. 
Regulations. 
16 use 1173. 
Penalties. 
16 u s e 1174. 
Hearings. 
Subpoenas. 
Fees and 
mileage. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
16 use 1175. 
97 STAT. 846 
PUBLIC LAW 98-129—OCT. 14, 1983 
pursuant to section 205 of this Act, $736,000 for fiscal year 1984 for 
the purposes of sections 104 and 208 of this Act and such sums as 
may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter for the purposes of 
sections 104 and 208 of this Act. 
Cofjtract 
"(b) The contract authority of the Secretary under this Act is 
au hority. 
effective for any fiscal year only to the extent that appropriations 
are available for such purposes.". 
Approved October 14, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2840: 
HOUSE REPORT Np..9&-213 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-212 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
May 23, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 4, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Sept. 26, House concurred in Senate amendment with an amendment. 
Sept. 28, Senate concurred in House amendment.