NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. NMFS also announced the designation of critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the Pacific bearded seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. Both designations are effective May 2.
Following the announcements, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said that the designation of over 260,000 square miles of critical habitat “goes beyond federal overreach,” calling it “an abuse of power” that would produce a “domino effect” on areas including fisheries, shipping, Arctic infrastructure, and responsible resource development.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) said that the designations present “crushing federal regulatory burdens” that “further lock[] up our lands, waters and resources,” adding that he “will continue to fight against this federal overreach.”
