Marine Mammals

Mongabay published the following article:

• To find out if marine protected areas achieve their environmental and socioeconomic goals, we read 42 scientific studies and talked to seven experts.
• Overall, marine protected areas do appear to help marine animals recover within their boundaries. But a lot more rigorous research is needed.
• The effects of marine protected areas on socioeconomic outcomes and fisheries are less clear.
• This is part of a special Mongabay series on ‘Conservation Effectiveness.’”

Click here to read entire article.

A coalition of environmental groups filed the suit in US District Court in Washington, D.C., against officials from the Commerce Department and National Marine Fisheries Service.

The law suit claims that the federal government must do more to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from getting tangled up in lobster gear, a leading cause of death for the rapidly declining mammals.

Click here for an article discussing this lawsuit.

The U.S.  National Marine Fisheries Service has extended the comment period on NMFS’ notice of initiation of a 5-year review of the Western Distinct Population Segment of Steller sea lion (Eumetopiasjubatus) under the Endangered Species Act , and NMFS’ request for information relevant to that review. Comments related to NMFS’ 5-year review of the western DPS of Steller sea lion must be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal or received at the appropriate address by April 6, 2018. However, NMFS will continue to accept new information about Steller sea lions at any time.

Click here for more detail and relevant links.