Ethnic Economy of Sea Mammal Hunting in Chukotsky District (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia): Activities of Territorial Neighboring Groups

 Introduction. The article considers some features of present-day economic activity in the form of one traditional subsistence pattern characteristic of Chukotka’s indigenous peoples — sea mammal hunting. In the 1990s, the latter was virtually revived by residents of coastal villages in Eastern Chukotka and is currently developing through the efforts undertaken by members of so-called ‘Chukotka’s indigenous minor ethnic communities’. Goals. The article seeks to characterize and conduct a comparative analysis into the functioning of two such territorial neighboring groups from Chukotsky District of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug — Daurkin and Lorino. Materials and methods. The study focuses on interviews with sea mammal hunters and residents of Lavrentiya and Lorino recorded in 2022–2024, official papers of Chukotsky District, reports by the Department of Agriculture of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug on activities of territorial neighboring groups, statistical materials, published documents. The work employs qualitative research methods, such as participant observation, interviewing, and comparative analysis. Conclusions. For some rural residents such territorial neighboring groups secure employment opportunities and stable incomes, while for others — a year-round supply with sea mammal meat (and products). The economic potential of rural communities is limited by scarce market outlets (the obtained products are intended for domestic consumption by indigenous population) and legislative prohibitions on commercial trade in some hunting products (e.g., meat of endangered animals). The successful activity of the examined territorial neighboring groups arises from a variety of factors, namely: financial and organizational support from regional authorities, leadership qualities of their chairmen, some creativity manifested in the search for new profitable activities, certain parallels between contemporary sea mammal hunting practices and historically established traditional subsistence paradigms in Chukotsky District of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. 

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