Current commercial fishing management plans and practices in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska are threatening North Pacific humpback and sperm whales, and the western population of Steller sea lions- all Endangered Species.
Changes are needed to the areas where commercial fishermen may fish for groundfish off Alaska's Aleutian Islands to further promote the recovery of the western population of Steller sea lions, and to be in compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Without a dramatic policy change of the harmful commercial fisheries management plan, these animals will approach extinction around the turn of the century.
We ask that changes be made to promote recovery of these species which are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
SOURCE: http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/habitat/esa/alaska03p.asp
James Balsiger
Administrator, Alaska Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
709 West Ninth Street,
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:907 586-7221
Fax:907 586-7465
Email: jim.balsiger@noaa.gov
Current commercial fishing management plans and practices in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska are threatening North Pacific humpback and sperm whales, and the western population of Steller sea lions- all Endangered Species.
Changes are needed to the areas where commercial fishermen may fish for groundfish off Alaska's Aleutian Islands to further promote the recovery of the western population of Steller sea lions, and to be in compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Without a dramatic policy change of the harmful commercial fisheries management plan, these animals will approach extinction around the turn of the century.
We ask that changes be made to promote recovery of these species which are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
