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Listing decision underscores climate-change threats to Arctic ecosystems
Bearded seals are vulnerable to shrinking sea ice, declining snow cover. Photo courtesy NOAA.
By Summit Voice
FRISCO — Recognizing that the best available science suggests a significant loss of Arctic sea ice in the next few decades, federal biologists last week finalized Endangered Species Act protection for two species of ice-dependent seals.
NOAA will list as threatened the Beringia and Okhotsk populations of bearded seals, and the Arctic, Okhotsk, and Baltic subspecies of ringed seals. The Ladoga subspecies of ringed seals will be listed as endangered. The species that exist in U.S. waters (Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia population of bearded seals) are already protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
“Our scientists undertook an extensive review of the best scientific and commercial data. They concluded that a significant decrease in sea ice is probable later this century and that these changes will likely cause these seal populations to decline,” said Jon Kurland, protected resources director for NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska region. “We look forward to working with the State of Alaska, our Alaska Native co-management partners, and the public as we work toward designating critical habitat for these seals.” (more…)
Filed under: Arctic, biodiversity, climate and weather, endangered species, Environment, global warming, Uncategorized | Tagged: Arctic, Arctic sea ice, bearded seals, biodiversity, Center for Biological Diversity, endangered species, endangered species act, global warming, ringed seals | Leave a Comment »
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