Sea otters thrown first safety net since endangered listing four years ago
Years after being placed on the Endangered Species List, the threatened sea otters of southwest Alaska have finally been given some habitat protection, writesMary Pemberton of the Associated Press.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 5,855 acres of critical habitat for the federally protected sea otters of southwest Alaska. This includes nearshore areas in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and Alaska Peninsula, where much of the species' most vital shallow cuisine thrives.
This is big news for environmental groups who have been fighting for nearly a decade to save the rapidly declining keystone species, which many believe plays a critical role in the health of marine ecosystems. In August 2000, the Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned to have Alaska's sea otters listed under the Endangered Species Act, but it was not until 2005 -- and two lawsuits later -- that sea otters in southwest Alaska finally received that protection. By that time, some regions had experienced up to 90 percent declines in otter populations. Alaska is currently estimated to have about 90 percent of the world's population of northern sea otters.
What's important to note is that the Endangered Species Act requires habitat protection from the moment an animal is first listed. Many have questioned why it took so long for this to happen. What hasn't helped is the antagonistic relationship between southwest sea otters and area fishermen, who have long blamed the fuzzy creatures for the region's collapsing fisheries.
-- Natasha Walker
The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
— Jacob H. Fries, executive director
DonateCancel anytime.
Public Health
Do Oregon parents get enough mental health support during pregnancy? Help us answer that question
We want to hear from you about how behavioral health care — or a lack of it — impacted a pregnancy
Union says Providence fired 15 nurses in retaliation for news coverage of girl’s suicide at Spokane hospital
Providence has accused nurses and other staff of violating patient privacy laws
Washington’s safety net clinics face ‘perfect storm’ of federal threats
Cuts to Medicaid and a change restricting services for some immigrants loom over the state’s 27 community health centers.
Oregon quietly halted a new Medicaid program for people leaving prison. Whether it goes forward may be up to the Trump administration.
State health officials delayed a $64 million Medicaid expansion because of the Trump administration’s tax and spending cuts package
Latest
After Homeland Security ‘welfare check,’ Idaho school district says immigration requests will draw new scrutiny
Vallivue School District says school resource officers must now run any requests from immigration authorities past administrators
Idaho’s latest anti-drag crusade began with a falsehood, lawsuit says
Drag queen at center of Idaho culture war takes Christian Nationalist group to court
Washington ferries are going hybrid-electric, but disposal of old ones poses environmental, legal risks
An abandoned ferry in the Puget Sound represents a shared struggle across the West Coast: to sell an old ship or destroy it