Our work includes: In Alaska, report a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead marine mammal to the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (877) 925-7773 to make sure professional responders and scientists know about it and can take appropriate action. Ringed seals, like all marine mammals, are protected under the MMPA. Ringed seals are the smallest seal species—and the cutest if you ask me. In addition, five subspecies of ringed seals are currently listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are designated as depleted under the MMPA because of their ESA listings. Ringed seals are circumpolar and are found in all seasonally ice-covered seas of the Northern Hemisphere and in certain freshwater lakes. Ringed seals are the smallest and most common Arctic seal. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions and enhance protection efforts for this species. The May 1, 2011, photo above shows a ringed seal pup in Kotzebue, Alaska. Ringed seals have a small head; a short cat-like snout; and a plump body.

We gather on the sea ice to breed, molt and rest together. The first option will be automatically selected. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/ringed-seal/, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/ringed-seal.html, https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/ringed-seal-1.

Early breakup of sea ice, less snow and even rain threatens their icy lairs. The ice seal is the main prey of Alaska's polar bears and will receive threatened species protection. Ringed seals, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. All ringed seals in Alaska are part of the threatened Arctic subspecies. Although subsistence harvest of Arctic ringed seals occurs in some parts of this subspecies’ range, harvest levels appear to be sustainable. Offshore oil and gas exploration and development could also impact ringed seals. A ringed seal pup. Ringed seals are the main prey of polar bears, which often catch breeding females or pups by collapsing lairs. Which City Is the Worst for Fall Allergies This Year? The ruling reverses the March 2016 ruling of U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline of Anchorage, in which he said the agency's decision was speculative. The endangered subspecies (Saimaa and Ladoga ringed seals) means that they are in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges.

Drowning in fishing gear is a significant source of mortality for Saimaa ringed seals (which occur in Lake Saimaa, Finland) and Ladoga ringed seals (which occur in Lake Ladoga, Russia).

Circuit Court of Appeals. Climate Change. All ringed seals in Alaska are part of the threatened Arctic subspecies. NOAA Fisheries conducts a variety of research on the biology, behavior, and ecology of ringed seals. They are also found in the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan in the western North Pacific and the Baltic Sea in the North Atlantic.

A tagged ringed seal pup is ready to be released. Please try During dives, I can reach depths of 300 feet and hold my breath for 45 minutes.