Gulf of Mexico oil blowout increases risks to globally threatened species

Fourteen marine species in the Gulf of Mexico are protected by the US Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. As the British Petroleum oil spill recovery and remediation proceed, species internationally recognized as having an elevated risk of extinction should also receive priority for protection and restoration efforts, whether or not they have specific legal protection. Forty additional marine species-unprotected by any federal laws-occur in the Gulf and are listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List. The Red List assessment process scientifically evaluates species' global status and is therefore a key mechanism for transboundary impact assessments and for coordinating international conservation action. Environmental impact assessments conducted for future offshore oil and gas development should incorporate available data on globally threatened species, including species on the IUCN Red List. This consideration is particularly important because US Natural Resource Damage Assessments may not account for injury to highly migratory, globally threatened species. © 2011 by American Institute of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved.Fil: Campagna, Claudio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; FranciaFil: Short, Frederick T.. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; Francia. Hampton University; Estados UnidosFil: Polidoro, Beth A.. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; Francia. Old Dominion University; Estados UnidosFil: McManus, Roger. Old Dominion University; Estados Unidos. Perry Institute For Marine Science; Estados UnidosFil: Collette, Bruce B.. National Museum of Natural History; Estados Unidos. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; FranciaFil: Pilcher, Nicolas J.. Marine Research Foundation; Malasia. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; FranciaFil: Mitcheson, Yvonne Sadovy De. The University Of Hong Kong; Hong Kong. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; FranciaFil: Stuart, Simon N.. United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre; Estados Unidos. Al Ain Wildlife Park And Resort; Emiratos Arabes Unidos. University of Bath; Reino UnidoFil: Carpenter, Kent E.. Old Dominion University; Estados Unidos. International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources; Franci