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+--- Thread: Alaska Humpback Delisting??? (/showthread.php?tid=14052)
Alaska Humpback Delisting??? - Pilgrim - 07-25-2014
Just came across this today. Alarming trend to try and delist our still vulnerable species!
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2014/humpback90day0614.htm
It seems the State of Alaska believes that here are enough whales already. A Hawaii fishing group apparently petitioned the same way.
Public comment closes in just 3 days, July 28th.
-"To ensure this status review is comprehensive, the agency is soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species through a 30-day public comment period. The deadline to comment is July 28, 2014. Please submit comments identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0051, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov
Mail: Address written comments to:
Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources
NMFS Alaska Region
Attn: Ellen Sebastian
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802-1668
Copies of the petition and the 90-day finding are available online at the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region's humpback whale website."
RE: Alaska Humpback Delisting??? - PaulW - 07-26-2014
Their conservation status is "Least Concern".
Why do you think they're vulnerable?
RE: Alaska Humpback Delisting??? - terracore - 07-26-2014
As I understand it, as long as its listed under the ESA, there are potential criminal penalties for any death, even if accidental, therefore NOAA has to conduct a criminal investigation every time a carcass is found. De-listing it would remove them from that burden, and so long as the hunting moratorium continues, the population will continue to slowly increase even with the occasional cruise ship "accident".