What will be the impact of critical habitat on human activities in the Aleutian Islands?
The only regulatory requirement resulting from designation of critical habitat is that Federal agencies that permit, fund, or carry out activities in critical habitat areas must consult with the Service to ensure that their activities do not destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat. There is no regulatory consequence of critical habitat for activities with no Federal nexus. We anticipate that the designation of critical habitat for sea otters will have minimal impact on human activities. Will critical habitat close commercial fishing in the Aleutians, similar to what is currently occurring with Steller sea lions? It is important to understand that critical habitat depends on the biological needs of each species. Steller sea lions are fish eaters, and they congregate in large numbers at specific sites known as haulouts and rookeries. Sea otters eat primarily benthic invertebrates; in the Aleutians their diet consists mostly of sea urchins, crabs, octopus, and some benthic fishes
