Status Review of the Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)

On March 28, 2008, NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of the bearded seal under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Then on May 28, 2008, we received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity to list the bearded seal as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, primarily due to concern about threats to this species' habitat from climate warming and loss of sea ice. To assist with determining whether listing of the bearded seal under the ESA is warranted, NOAA Fisheries convened a Biological Review Team to assess the best available information concerning the status of ringed seals and past, present, and future threats to the species.