New guidelines to address disturbance to harbor seals

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced in late March that it will not propose new regulations for the Alaska harbor seal. Instead, it plans to “adopt new voluntary guidelines” and to provide information about reducing disturbance occurrences.

RDC applauds this announcement, as the Alaska harbor seal is already protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and further protections are unnecessary.

The MMPA protects the harbor seal from harassment, including protection from impact to the seal’s migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

In a 2013 letter, RDC wrote, “Any additional measures to protect harbor seals from the effects of vessel activity in glacial habitats will likely impact the visitor industry, with little to no added benefit to the harbor seal.”

NMFS went on to further say it would work with vessel operators to develop and implement the voluntary guidelines, while continuing to protect harbor seal habitat.

Return to newsletter headlines