THE FIRST ANIMAL TO BE DE-LISTED FROM THE THREATENED SPECIES LIST IN NEARLY 20 YEARS, WILL BE THE EASTERN POPULATION OF THE STELLAR SEA LION. THEIR RANGE RUNS FROM THE CALIFORNIA CHANNELS ISLANDS TO ALASKA’S PANHANDLE. THE WESTERN POPULATION OF THE STELLAR SEA LION (WHICH RUNS FROM ALASKA TO RUSSIAN WATERS) REMAINS ON THE ENDANGERED LIST.
THE LAST ANIMAL DE-LISTED BY THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION WAS THE NORTH PACIFIC GRAY WHALE.
The de- listing WILL become effective 30 days after a notice is published in the Federal Register.
