NOAA Now Accepting Feedback on Steller Sea Lion Regulations
Tuesday, April 17 2012
Today, the federal government took its first step in preparing an environmental impact statement on commercial fishing restrictions in the western Aleutians. Members of the public can now offer official comment on how Steller sea lion protection measures have affected them.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration closed the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries in 2011 in an effort to limit food competition with an endangered stock of Steller sea lions. After a protracted legal battle, a federal judge determined that the regulations were appropriate, but that NOAA erred in not evaluating the impacts to the human environment through an impact statement. NOAA must now complete a statement by 2014, a process which could change the way those fisheries are managed.
The written comment period will close on October 15. NOAA will also hear testimony on the issue at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s October meeting.
Becky D'Ostilio on Wednesday, April 18 2012:
I cannot get my head around it, how you can kill these beautiful, innocent, living, breathing creatures, for eating salmon? Really?! Then the fishermen go and kill the salmon anyway? It doesn't make any sense... since when do we have the right to decide what goes on in the ocean? Its part of their way of life.. this senseless killing has to stop.
Belinda B Barnes on Tuesday, April 17 2012:
My thoughts are that this is disgusting. You an endangered species and you are worried about fisherman? Are you kidding me? So what happens when you completely screw up the oceans by causing other creatures to become extinct? You think that it won't matter to let the sea lions die off? Are you crazy? Humans don't need to eat salmon to survive. Absolutely disgusting!
Holise E Cleveland III on Tuesday, April 17 2012:
∞ “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mahatma Gandhi
∞ “We need to develop a sense of equanimity towards all living beings, expressed through the ability to relate to all others equally.” – Dalai Lama