Alaska sues federal fisheries service over sea lion protections

The Associated Press

(12/14/10 13:09:03)

The state of Alaska is suing a federal agency over a decision to curtail fishing in the western Aleutian Islands to protect endangered sea lions.

The move by the National Marine Fisheries Service is intended to provide sea lions in certain areas with more fish to eat.

But the state argues that the agency failed to make the case that additional fishing restrictions are necessary. Gov. Sean Parnell says the restrictions are not supported by scientific evidence.

Last week, the federal agency announced that commercial mackerel and cod fisheries in the western Aleutians would be restricted to ensure that Steller sea lions have enough to eat.

The western population of sea lions was listed as endangered in 1997 under the Endangered Species Act. The fishing restrictions go into effect Jan. 1.