Sea otters can now be unintentionally harassed during Alaskan construction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized rules allowing for the nonlethal harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters. This means construction projects in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska, can proceed even if they generate noise that might disturb these animals.

This rule change allows marine construction projects in specific Alaskan areas to proceed without the same level of concern for potential noise disturbances to northern sea otters. It effectively lowers a barrier for development in these coastal regions. The change is effective for five years, suggesting a trial period for this new tolerance.