The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries announced that critical habitat for Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia distinct population segment of bearded seals will be designated off the western and northern coastline of Alaska.
Bearded seals were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2012 and ringed seals received the listing in 2014, but both faced challenges in court that delayed the designation of critical habitat. The listing of bearded seals as threatened was reinstated in 2017 and ringed seals followed in 2018,A 2019 lawsuit challenged the NOAA Fisheries for not designating critical habitat in a timely manner.
Ringed seals can grow up to over four feet long, weigh up to 150 pounds, and live up to 30 years. The NOAA Fisheries lists the factors that threaten the population as offshore oil and gas exploration and development, increased shipping in the Arctic, climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear. “Under the ESA, the only regulatory effect of critical habitat designation is the requirement under Section 7 that Federal agencies ensure that their actions are not likely to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. This applies to any activity involving Federal funding, permitting, or authorization that may affect listed species or designated critical habitat,” the NOAA Fisheries announcement said. “The critical habitat overlap with some areas where offshore oil and gas activities occur.
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