The National Marine Fisheries Service determined that the Iliamna Lake Seal, a population of seals that overwinter in Alaska’s largest lake, is ineligible for listing under the Endangered Species Act, according to a Wednesday press release from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
The determination came in response to a 2012 petition by the Center for Biological Diversity that sought to list the animals as a Distinct Population Segment of the Pacific harbor seal. ADF&G’s Bruce Dale, director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation, agreed with the NMFS’ decision, citing the fact that the seals do not qualify as a Distinct Population Segment and are therefore ineligible for listing under the ESA.
“Identifying the Iliamna Lake seals as a Distinct Population Segment is not appropriate because the population does not differ substantially from harbor seals in Bristol Bay,” Dale said.
According to ADF&G, genetic information currently available indicates the seals are North Pacific harbor seals that originate in Bristol Bay. Though limited genetic data suggest Iliamna Lake seals could be reproductively isolated from seals that overwinter in Bristol Bay, Iliamna Lake seals are regularly seen in the Kvichak River, which connects the lake to Bristol Bay. This suggests no physical barrier exists between populations in Iliamna Lake and Bristol Bay.
“Even if they did qualify as a Distinct Population Segment, the seals would not merit ESA listing,” Dale added, as “No sign of decline has been detected in the animals that overwinter in Iliamna Lake, and no threats exist indicating future decline in likely.”
