Editing Ringed seal (section)

=== Conservation in the United States ===

The estimated population size for the Alaska stock of ringed seals is 249,000 animals. In 2010 the trend in numbers for this population was unknown.<ref name="NOAA"/> Ringed seals are listed as a species of "least concern" by the [[IUCN]],<ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021" /> and were considered 'not threatened' under the [[Endangered Species Act]] in 2006. Reliable estimates of the minimum population, potential biological removal, and human-caused mortality were not available in 2006. The level of annual U.S. commercial fishery-related mortality or injury was considered insignificant. The Alaska stock of ringed seals is not considered a strategic fishery stock.<ref name="NOAA 2006"/> In 2008 the US [[National Marine Fisheries Service]] began a conservation status review under the [[Endangered Species Act]] (ESA) to determine if listing this seal under the ESA is warranted.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2008-09-04/html/E8-20544.htm "Notice of 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Three Ice Seal Species as a Threatened or Endangered Species"]. ''[[Federal Register]]'' '''73'''(61). 28 March 2008.</ref>