Dear Dr. Balsiger:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Draft Biological Opinion (BiOp) evaluating the impacts of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries on endangered species. As the Draft BiOp makes clear, the current management of...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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2010
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.259.6266 http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/stellers/esa/biop/final/cie/meeting0812/materials/oceana_oceanconservancy_greenpeace_wwf_draftbiop_comments.pdf |
| Summary: | Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Draft Biological Opinion (BiOp) evaluating the impacts of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries on endangered species. As the Draft BiOp makes clear, the current management of those fisheries is likely to cause jeopardy to the Western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions and adverse modification of their critical habitat. Accordingly, NMFS is not—and likely has not been—complying with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agency must take action to bring those fisheries into compliance with the law. Management changes are long overdue and must be implemented for the 2011 fisheries, if not before. The status of the population of Steller sea lions is an appropriate lens through which to evaluate our progress toward a healthy ocean ecosystem that includes sustainable fisheries and supports vibrant communities. NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) have taken important steps to further this goal, including preparing the Aleutian Islands Fishery |
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