NOAA Proposes critical habitat for ringed and bearded seals
Ringed seal, NOAA
NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate critical habitat in U.S. waters off the coast of Alaska for Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia distinct population of bearded seals. Both species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Four species of ice-associated seals inhabit the U.S. Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas off the coast of Alaska—bearded, ringed, ribbon, spotted seals. The Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal and the Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of the bearded seal were listed as threatened under the ESA in 2013, primarily due to threats associated with long-term reductions in sea ice, and for ringed seals, on-ice snow depths, expected to occur within the foreseeable future. The ESA requires that NOAA Fisheries designate critical habitat for listed species in areas within the jurisdiction of the United States. Critical habitat identifies geographic areas that contain features essential to the conservation of a listed species. Designating critical habitat does not create a preserve or refuge, and would not affect subsistence harvest of ringed or bearded seals by Alaska Natives.
The proposed critical habitat identifies physical and biological features essential to the conservation of ringed and bearded seals in the northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas that include:
For ringed seals: sea ice suitable for pupping, nursing, basking, and molting, as well as primary prey resources to support these seals.
For bearded seals: sea ice suitable for pupping, nursing, and molting; acoustic conditions that allow for effective communication by bearded seals for breeding purposes; and primary prey resources to support these seals.
The proposed southern and northern boundaries for the critical habitats differ between the two species, reflecting differences in where the essential habitat features for each species are found.
Bearded seal, NOAA
NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comments until March 9, 2021 on all aspects of the proposed designations. NOAA Fisheries has indicated that they will hold virtual/telephonic public hearings on the proposals, but have not yet announced the dates or times of those hearings.
LEARN MORE and SUBMIT COMMENTS:
Comments can mailed to: Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: James Bruschi, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668
NOAA Fisheries News Story: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/noaa-fisheries-proposes-critical-habitat-ringed-and-bearded-seals-us-arctic
