Search Results for keywords:"endangered species"

The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a permit to the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center to conduct research and activities aimed at helping the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The activities will take place in the Hawaiian Archipelago and Johnston Atoll and will include health checks, tagging, and other conservation efforts to improve the seals' survival rates. The permit is valid until the end of 2029, and researchers will also study threats to the seals, explore solutions, and assess the effectiveness of their efforts. The permit also covers potential impacts on some dolphin species and allows for the collection and analysis of seal parts.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is holding a virtual meeting of the Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group. The meeting, scheduled for March 10-11, 2021, will focus on seabird and fisheries interactions, with topics including vessel collisions, strategies for monitoring and reporting these interactions, and an inquiry into whether the short-tailed albatross is two separate species. The NMFS aims to inform the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council about any recommendations that arise from the meeting concerning reducing seabird bycatch. For further participation details, one may contact Joseph Krieger.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing an update to the description of the western North Pacific gray whale population under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to reflect the latest scientific understanding. This update follows a 5-year review and a distinct population segment analysis, which found that the gray whales in this area should be managed as a single group, including those that migrate between the Western and Eastern North Pacific. The proposed changes update the official description without altering the endangered status of the whales. Public comments on this proposal are invited until January 13, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is extending the public comment period for a permit application from SeaWorld to conduct research on a non-releasable beluga whale from the endangered Cook Inlet population. This extension is due to additional information received from SeaWorld, which requires more time for review. The current permit allowing SeaWorld to hold the beluga whale is also proposed to be extended for six months. The new deadline for submitting comments is March 3, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced preparations for the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), set for November 2025 in Uzbekistan. They plan to propose amendments to the CITES Appendices, which list species needing protection, and are considering resolutions and agenda items based on public feedback. The notice invites public comments on potential proposals and explains how organizations can participate as observers. The Service is also considering various animal and plant species for protection, with a focus on ensuring trade practices do not threaten their survival.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to list several Caribbean skink species as endangered or threatened. The Puerto Rican skink, Lesser Virgin Islands skink, and Virgin Islands bronze skink are proposed as endangered, while the Culebra skink is proposed as threatened. The proposal also includes designating critical habitats for these species to aid in their conservation. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 18, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that they are accepting applications for special permits aimed at helping endangered species recover and survive, as allowed by the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for comments from the public and various government agencies on these applications until February 20, 2025. This public input will be used to decide whether or not to issue the permits, which will enable certain activities that are normally prohibited with endangered species. The comments received, unless requested otherwise, may be made publicly available.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to list the spinytail crayfish as an endangered or threatened species. The agency reviewed scientific and commercial information and concluded that the species currently has a stable environment and sufficient habitat. Even though the spinytail crayfish is a narrow-range species in southern Mississippi, it faces no immediate threat of extinction, and its populations are resilient to possible future risks like climate change. The service encourages the public to provide any new information about the crayfish's status or habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to reclassify the rough popcornflower from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. This decision is based on scientific information indicating that while the species' condition has improved and it is not in immediate danger of extinction, it is still likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The proposal also includes regulations under section 4(d) of the Act aimed at conserving the species. The public can submit comments on this proposed rule by February 10, 2025.

SeaWorld LLC has applied for a permit to conduct research on a non-releasable beluga whale named Tyonek, from the endangered Cook Inlet population. The permit, under review by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), would allow studying the whale's behavior and providing care at SeaWorld of Texas. Tyonek, stranded as a baby and deemed non-releasable, will be part of educational programs to inform the public about the beluga’s endangered status. The permit request includes potential transport of Tyonek for socialization or care needs and is intended for a five-year period.