The International Whaling Commission has renewed hunting quotas for Alaska Natives.

Alaska Natives will be able to land as many as 336 bowhead whales from 2013 to 2018. The extension was approved by a vote of 48 to 10, Alaska's Congressional delegation reported.

"The subsistence bowhead harvest means food security for Alaska’s Inupiat and today’s action to extend the catch limit provides assurance they will be able to continue the annual whale hunt in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) said in a press release.

The vote took place at IWC's meeting in Panama City, Panama. The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission and other Alaska Natives are at the meeting.

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Whaling commission extends hunt quota for Alaska Natives (AP 7/3)