The federal Marine Mammal Commission will gather for four days of meetings beginning Tuesday in Anchorage.

The commission is an independent agency that provides oversight of the marine mammal conservation policies and programs administered by regulatory agencies.

Commissioners will hear reports on priorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees polar bears and walrus, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which oversees whales and ice seals.

The commission has sessions scheduled on climate disruption in the Arctic, research activities and species of special concern.

The commission will also hear presentations on Arctic shipping and petroleum development.

All sessions will be at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel.