The Center for Biological Diversity filed a motion today to intervene in a lawsuit regarding protections for the Arctic ringed seal. The intervention seeks to defend the federal government’s rejection of the state of Alaska’s efforts to end Endangered Species Act protections for the seal.
Alaska, North Slope Borough and others petitioned to delist the species in 2019. The National Marine Fisheries Service rejected that petition in 2020, concluding that the petition failed to “present substantial scientific or commercial information” that would justify delisting the seal. The petitioners challenged that decision in federal court in Alaska in late 2022.
“We can’t stand by and watch ringed seals lose critical Endangered Species Act protections,” said Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center. “The science is clear that climate change is continuing to destroy the sea ice habitat these seals need to survive.”
Legal Intervention Defends Protections for Arctic Ringed Seals
Alaska, North Slope Borough and others petitioned to delist the species in 2019. The National Marine Fisheries Service rejected that petition in 2020, concluding that the petition failed to “present substantial scientific or commercial information” that would justify delisting the seal. The petitioners challenged that decision in federal court in Alaska in late 2022.
“We can’t stand by and watch ringed seals lose critical Endangered Species Act protections,” said Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center. “The science is clear that climate change is continuing to destroy the sea ice habitat these seals need to survive.”
Legal Intervention Defends Protections for Arctic Ringed Seals