Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species (2024)

NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service share responsibility for implementing the Endangered Species Act, which is the primary way the federal government protects species in danger of extinction. The purpose of the act is to conserve endangered and threatened species and their ecosystems. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for endangered and threatened marine and anadromous species—from whales and seals to sharks, salmon, and corals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for terrestrial and freshwater species, but also has responsibility over several marine species like sea otters, manatees, and polar bears. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries also share jurisdiction over several other species such as sea turtles and Atlantic salmon.

NOAA Fisheries works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies, the states, tribes, and other stakeholders to recoverlisted species. As a nation that enjoys the benefits provided by a diverse natural environment, it is everyone’s shared responsibility to help recover endangered and threatened species.

Recovery is the process of restoring endangered and threatened species to the point where they no longer require the safeguards of the Endangered Species Act.

To determine if an endangered or threatened species has recovered, NOAA Fisheries reviews the best available data about the species. This information is gathered from the states, members of the public, the scientific community, and various other sources. We evaluate this information against the definitions of threatened and endangered and the species’ recovery criteria, where identified, to determine if the species is still in danger of extinction or likely to become endangered in the future. Some factors that managers may consider when determining if a species is eligible for downlisting (i.e., from endangered to threatened) or delisting (i.e., removal from the list) are population increases, mechanisms to conserve a species and its habitat, and reduction of threats. Once a species is determined to be recovered, it can then be removed from the list of endangered and threatened species. NOAA Fisheries and partners monitor a delisted species status for at least five years afterward to ensure its recovery is sustained.

Once a species is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, it becomes illegal to "take" that species (harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to do these things). Similar prohibitions may also be extended to species listed as threatened under the ESA. Critical habitat must also be designated for the conservation of the species. In addition to theprotections associated with their listing under the ESA, we also take the following management actions:

• Develop and implement recovery plans for listed species where such plans would promote conservation.
• Monitor and evaluate the status of listed species.
• Provide grants to states and tribes for species conservation.
• Consult on any federal government actions that may affect a listed speciesor its designated critical habitatto minimize possible adverse effects.
• Enter bilateral and multilateral agreements with other nations to encourage conservation of listed species.
• Investigate violations of the ESA.
• Cooperate with non-federal partners to develop conservation plans, safe harbor agreements, and candidate conservation agreements withassurances for the long-term conservation of species.
• Issue permits that authorize scientific research to learn more about listed species, or activities that enhance the propagation or survival of listed species.
• Designate experimental populations of listed species to further the conservation and recovery of those species.
• Issue determinations regarding the pre-listed or antique status of ESA species parts.

To recover endangered and threatened species, NOAA Fisheries needs the help of many partners. These partners provide critical resources to aid in conservation and recovery. NOAA Fisheries scientists and partners are also using innovative science to study the threats species face and determine the best methods for recovery. Partnerships include:

States

Under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, we are authorized to enter into agreements with any state that establishes and maintains an "adequate and active" program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. Once a state enters into such an agreement, NOAA Fisheries is authorized to both help and fund implementation of the state's conservation program.

States can use federal funding—which we provide in the form of Species Recovery Grants—to support management, research, and monitoring as well as outreach projects that have direct conservation benefits for listed species, recently delisted species, and candidate species that reside within that state.

Federal Agencies

Federal agencies other than NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must also use their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species (under section 7(a)(1) of the ESA).

Federal agencies must also minimize activities that may adversely affect threatened and endangered species or destroy or modify designated critical habitat through interagency consultation(under section 7(a)(2) of the ESA).

Tribes

If Species Recovery Grants to tribessupport tribally led recovery efforts, including management, research, monitoring, and outreach projects that have direct conservation benefits for listed species, recently delisted species, and candidate species.

Local Governments

NOAA Fisheries may also collaborate with local governments to obtain information on listed species and the ecosystems on which they depend in order to support the development of Habitat Conservation Plans for Incidental Take Permitsissued under section 10 of the ESA. Habitat Conservation Plans ensure that the the impacts of the proposed take of listed species is minimized or mitigated to the maximum extent practicable. Habitat Conservation Plans are required for an Incidental Take Permit to private entities undertaking projects that may result in take of endangered or threatened species, and help contribute to the recovery of those species.

Private and Nonprofit Organizations

Private and nonprofit entities and individuals also take actions to recover species because they share a goal of preserving biodiversity, or because they have an interest in seeing the species delisted.

The Endangered Species Acthas been very successful in preventing species extinctions. Less than 1 percent of the species listed under the act have been lost.

Steller sea lion – The Eastern distinct population segment of Steller sea lions, listed as threatened under the ESA almost a quarter century ago, has recovered and was removed from the list. The delisting of this population of Steller sea lions—which was once depleted due to harvests, predator control programs, and indiscriminate killing—demonstrates that species can recover with targeted conservation efforts.

Humpback whale – In 2016, NOAA Fisheries revised the listing for humpback whales under the ESA, dividing the whales into 14 distinct population segments and finding that 9 of these distinct population segments do not warrant listing under the ESA. International conservation efforts to protect and conserve whales over the past 40 years proved successful for most populations.

Green sea turtle – In 2016, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revised the listing for green sea turtlesunder the ESA, dividing the species into 11 distinct population segments and reclassifying two endangered breeding populations (in Florida and the Pacific Coast of Mexico)as threatened distinct population segmentsdue to successful conservation efforts in the United States and abroad.

Gray whales– Originallylisted as endangered under the ESA, the eastern North Pacific population of gray whales was declared to no longer be in danger of extinction and was delistedin 1994.Overall, the population continues to increase and is currently estimatedto include over 26,000 whales.All gray whales are protected under the MMPA, and the western North Pacific population of gray whales remains listed as endangered under the ESA.

Here are some ways you can help recover endangered and threatened species:

• Learn about endangered and threatened species in your area and the threats they face.
• Watch wildlife responsibly.
• Volunteer for restoration projectsand take other actions to protect habitat.
• Report marine mammals or sea turtles in distress.
• Report wildlife harassment to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement 24-hour hotline: (800) 853-1964.
• Never purchase anything made from an endangered or threatened species.
• Reduce your water consumption.
• Reduce the amount of pollution you generate.
• Make informed consumer decisions, from seafood to wildlife tours:
  • DolphinSMART – help minimize harassment and feeding of wild dolphins.
  • WhaleSENSE – learn about responsible whale watching.