Comment from Amanda Lester

My main problem with this proposed rule is that there are no definite reasons as to why the ringed seal should be placed on the endangered species list. Scientists first believed that the sickness that the seals were suffering from was caused by radiation from the nuclear plant in Japan. However, after extensive research no radiation levels were found in the samples that would directly cause the symptoms, ie the lesions and hair loss. There claims to be about 60 dead seals that have been reported in Alaska. 60 out of how many? Is it 60 out ouf 200 because that would be a significant number, but 60 out of 100,000 would not be. So how many of the ringed seals are left to make them endangered and the qualified to place them on the endangered species list? How will putting the ringed seals on the endangered species list help them? There is no cause yet to why they are becoming sickly. There are certain people in that area that area that rely on the meat and blubber and skin of these animals. How would putting them on a list help save them? I am not saying don't place them on the endangered species list, but take the time to explain why they need to go on it.