Administrator

• Main Authors: National Marine, Fisheries Service, James W. Balsiger, Melanie Brown, Ben Muse
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Bering Sea; Pacific; Atka; Alaska; Aleutian Islands
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.232.4759; http://209.112.168.2/analyses/ssl/sslprotections_earir1210.pdf

Abstract: This environmental assessment/regulatory impact review provides decision-makers and the public with an evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effects of alternatives to the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area groundfish fisheries, in particular the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries. The western distinct population segment (WDPS) of Steller sea lion is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and the species population in the Aleutian Islands is declining. Atka mackerel and Pacific cod are principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the Aleutian Islands. This proposed action would revise management of the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries to ensure the effects of these fisheries are not likely to result in jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat for the WDPS of Steller sea lions. This document addresses the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12866. (This page is blank) November 2010 Executive Summary In April 2006, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division (SFD, action agency), reinitiated Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation with NMFS Alaska Region, Protected Resources Division (PRD, consulting agency), on the potential effects of the