Izembek Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge. 18/12/86; Alaska; 168,433 ha; 55o18’55”N 162o53’08”W. The Site consists of a series of lagoons and surrounding marshes on the north coast of the Alaska Peninsula. Izembek Lagoon is the largest of its type in Alaska and contains one of the world’s largest beds of eelgrass which is a primary food source for many geese and ducks. The Site provides staging habitats for waterfowl that undertake transoceanic flights and nest or winter along the Pacific Rim. It supports water bird species including the black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans), Taverner´s Canada geese (Branta canadencis taverneri) and emperor geese (Chen canagica). The site also provides feeding and resting areas for a large number of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), which are endangered and near-threatened respectively according to the IUCN Red List. 39 species of fish use the area as migratory, spawning or nursery habitat; four species of Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) enter the freshwater streams of Izembek to spawn. The threats to the site are related to the offshore petroleum operations nearby as there is the possibility of an oil spill and also of disturbance from the construction of pipelines and support facilities. Ramsar Site No. 349. Most recent RIS information: 2011.