A nasty battle is brewing off the coast of Alaska pitting endangered sea lions against commercial fishermen and right now it appears the federal government is siding with the animals over jobs.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is recommending the closure of two lucrative fisheries in hopes of stopping the decline of Steller sea lions along the western edge of the Aleutian Islands. The move would prevent the catching of Atka Mackerel and Pacific Cod, a $60-million a year industry.

Biologists say mackerel and cod make up most of the sea lions’ diet. Studies show the mammals’ body weight is slightly lower in the Western Aleutians and that could be leading to lower birth rates for the females. While scientists say fishing might be just one of several reasons the population of sea lions has declined 45-percent this decade, it is the one thing they can actually do something about.

Other possible reasons include predation from killer whales, disease and ocean conditions. Officials with the NMFS say the Endangered Species Act requires them to take action even when they’re not certain about the causes of population declines.

Commercial fishermen are livid. They are certain that closing the fisheries will kill hundreds of good paying fishing jobs and hurt scores of businesses that depend on a healthy fishing industry. They also worry that this closure would be just the beginning if it’s not viewed as successful. The nearby Bering Sea and the billion dollar a year pollack industry might be the next target.

Environmentalists are already pushing for even more drastic measures calling on the federal government to look at all of Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and its practices.

The NMFS has recommended the mackerel and cod fisheries be closed in January of 2011. A final decision will be coming in weeks.