NMFS stands firm on fishery closures in Aleutians

The National Marine Fisheries Service is sticking to its guns on a range of fishery restrictions beginning next year in the Aleutians to conserve prey for endangered Steller sea lions.

Here's a press release with a helpful map at the bottom.

The news had industry players grumbling today at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage. The speculation is that fishing companies, and perhaps the state of Alaska, will sue the feds over what some consider questionable closures of productive cod and Atka mackerel fishing grounds.

Others, however, applauded NMFS.

"By providing more food for sea lions in the western Aleutians, these measures should help stem the continued decline there," Oceana said in this press release.