NOAA eyes potential changes to Alaska sea lion protections as Trump urges boosted seafood harvests

Federal regulators are considering altering the boundaries of fishing closures set to safeguard endangered Steller sea lions in Alaska, aligning with Trump administration efforts to reduce regulations on U.S. commercial seafood harvests. This move could impact conservation efforts aimed at protecting these declining sea lions, raising concerns among environmentalists. The potential changes underscore a broader conflict between conservation priorities and economic interests in the fishing industry, highlighting the tension between ecological preservation and commercial exploitation.