Endangered Species in Alaska

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game received funds in 2007 to establish a unit to oversee state involvement in endangered and threatened species. This unit coordinates state participation under federal and state endangered species legislation. This includes coordinating state comments on proposed listings and on recovery of listed species.

Two federal agencies are responsible for implementing the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) legislation.

• The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for oversight of marine species
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for freshwater and land based species.

In Alaska, 11 species have been listed as endangered under the ESA. These are:

• Short-tailed albatross (PDF)
• Eskimo curlew
• Aleutian Shield fern
• Steller's sea lion (western stock)
• Whales
• Bowhead whale
• Fin Whale
• Humpback whale
• North Pacific right whale
• Blue whale
• Sei whale
• Leatherback turtle

Four species are currently listed as threatened under the ESA.

• Spectacled eider
• Steller's eider
• Northern sea otter (southwest Alaska DPS)
• Steller's sea lion (eastern population)

One species (Aleutian Canadian goose) was listed, but has recovered to an extent that it has been delisted.

Seven species have been in various stage of consideration for protection under the ESA.

• Polar bears
• FR notice link (1/1/07)
• State comments (4/9/07)
• FR notice link (10/5/07)
• State comments (10/23/07)
• Black-footed albatross
• FR notice link (10/9/07)
• State comments (12/10/07)
• Lynn Canal herring
• FR notice link (9/10/07)
• State comments (12/10/07)
• Cook Inlet beluga whales
• FR notice link (date)
• State Comments to National Marine Fisheries Service Assistant Director
• State comments Overview
• State comments Chapter 1 Population (PDF dated 7/31/2007)
• State comments Chapter 2 Threats (PDF dated 7/31/2007)
• State comments Chapter 3 Conservation Plan (PDF dated 7/31/2007)
• State comments Chapter 4 Critical Habitat (PDF dated 7/31/2007)
• State comments Chapter 5 Economic Impact (PDF dated 7/31/2007)
• Northern Right whale, North Pacific DPS
• FR notice link (10/29/07)
• Queen Charlotte goshawk
• Kittlitz's murrelet
• Yellow-billed loons

For additional information, please contact:
Doug Vincent-Lang
(907) 267-2339