Once a species is listed under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries evaluates and identifies whether any areas meet the definition of critical habitat. Those areas may be designated as critical habitat through a rulemaking process.| NOAA
The U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Response Network responds to live stranded, sick, injured, out of habitat, or entangled marine mammals, and investigates dead stranded marine mammals.| NOAA
Short-finned pilot whales are found globally in tropical and temperate oceans. They differ slightly in size, features, coloration, and pattern from the long-finned pilot whale. Learn more about the short-finned pilot whale species.| NOAA
Loggerheads are the most abundant species of sea turtle found in U.S. coastal waters. They are named for their massive heads and strong jaws which they use to eat hard-shelled animals like whelk and conch. Learn more about these marine reptiles.| NOAA
The smalltooth sawfish belongs to a group of fish called elasmobranchs that includes rays, skates, and sharks. Although shark-like in appearance, they are actually rays. Learn more about smalltooth sawfish.| NOAA
Learn how NOAA Fisheries conducts consultations with federal agencies to protect endangered and threatened species and important fish habitat.| NOAA
The Marine Recreational Information Program administers a suite of recreational fishing surveys and produces catch and effort estimates that support science and management needs.| NOAA
Long-finned pilot whales are very social, living in large schools of hundreds of animals separated into close-knit pods of 10 to 20 individuals. Learn more about long-finned pilot whales.| NOAA
Fish and other marine species depend on their habitat to survive and reproduce. NOAA Fisheries works to identify and protect essential fish habitat.| NOAA
The killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family. The population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most critically endangered marine mammals. Learn about our work to protect and conserve killer whales.| NOAA
Atlantic sturgeon live in rivers and coastal waters from Maine to Florida. Hatched in freshwater rivers, Atlantic sturgeon head to sea as juveniles and return to their birthplace to spawn, or lay eggs, as adults. Learn more about Atlantic sturgeon.| NOAA
NOAA Fisheries works to help all marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other laws and policies.| NOAA
U.S. wild-caught Chinook salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations. However, some Chinook salmon are also protected under the Endangered Species Act. Learn more about protected C| NOAA
Learn more about humpback whales and what NOAA Fisheries is doing to study this species and best conserve their populations.| NOAA
Healthy marine species like whales, sea turtles, coral, and salmon are important for maintaining balanced and thriving ocean ecosystems. We work to protect marine species populations from decline and extinction to ensure future generations may enjoy them.| NOAA
The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. Learn more about North Atlantic right whales and NOAA Fisheries' work to protect and conserve the species.| NOAA
Fishing operations sometimes result in “bycatch” of non-target species. Learn how NOAA Fisheries is working with partners to reduce bycatch.| NOAA
Once common throughout the Northern Hemisphere, gray whales are now only found in the North Pacific Ocean where there are two extant populations in the eastern and western North Pacific. Learn more about gray whales.| NOAA