contributed photo/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ashy storm-petrel

A small, smoke-gray seabird that nests in craggy cliffs and sea caves on the Channel Islands has been turned down for protection as an endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made that decision after a 12-month review of the ashy storm-petrel. The agencys findings were published Tuesday in the Federal Register.

The review found the seabird population is not in a long-term decline and has not lost a significant portion of its range.

Our review of the best available scientific and commercial information indicates that the ashy storm-petrel is not in danger of extinction nor likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future, the agency said.

Others disagree.

Numerous studies have raised red flags that these rare and beautiful seabirds are suffering declines and current management efforts just arent enough, said Shaye Wolf, a biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity.

The group petitioned to have the bird considered for endangered listing in 2007 and challenged a 2009 ruling that it was not warranted. In a settlement, Fish and Wildlife agreed to more review.

After this weeks decision, the center released a statement calling Endangered Species Act protection a much-needed safety net for the ashy storm-petrel. The seabirds are threatened on their breeding islands by predators and rising sea levels, the group said.

The ashy storm-petrel has 32 known breeding spots from northern Baja California to Mendocino County, researchers say. But more than 90 percent of its population breeds in two spots the Channel Islands and Southeast Farallon Island, off the San Francisco coast.

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Seabird found on Channel Islands turned down for endangered species status