Alaska Coral Species
Petition to List Coral Species and Designate Critical Habitat
The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned NMFS on August 20, 2012, to list 43 Alaska coral species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The petition asserts that several threats are impeding the survival and recovery of these species and warrant their protection under the ESA, including ocean warming, ocean acidification, commercial fishing, and oil spills. Under ESA Section 4(b)(3) and 50 CFR 424.14, to the maximum extent practicable, NMFS must issue an initial finding within 90 days as to whether the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. In response to the petition for Alaska corals, NMFS completed the required 90-day finding and determined that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing under the ESA may be warranted.
- News Release: NOAA Fisheries finds ESA listing of Alaska cold-water corals is not warranted February 2013 NEW!
- Notice of 90-day Finding, February 2013
- References Cited in 90-day Finding
- Petition, August 2012
- NMFS Response Letter, August 2012
Research
- Deep-sea Corals
- A Field Guide to Alaska Corals, B.L. Wing and D.R. Barnard, NOAA Technical Memorandum, July 2004
- Data Mining to Support Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Research in Alaska