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A bearded seal pup resting on sea ice. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Shawn Dahle
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Designation of critical habitat is required for species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA Fisheries is designating critical habitat in U.S. waters off the coast of Alaska for Arctic ringed seals and the Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of bearded seals. Both species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The ESA requires that NOAA Fisheries designate critical habitat for listed species in areas within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Critical habitat identifies geographic areas that contain features essential to the conservation of a listed species.
Read more.
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