Species Information

The Office of Protected Resources works to conserve and recover species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in partnership with NOAA Fisheries Regions and Science Centers, environmental organizations, industry groups, other Federal and state agencies, and the academic community.

Species Numbers, Types, and Status
There are approximately 1,350 U.S. "species" listed under the ESA. The Office of Protected Resources manages mostly marine and anadromous species, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the remainder of the listed species, mostly terrestrial and freshwater species.

The Office of Protected Resources manages:

• ~65 ESA-listed species
• ~40 ESA species of concern
• 14 candidate species for ESA listing
• 2 species proposed for ESA listing
• ~160 marine mammal stocks as reported in the MMPA stock assessment reports

Threats
Key threats to marine species are largely due to human impacts, including accidental capture in fishing gear, habitat destruction, pollution, overharvest, and ship strikes. These threats may contribute to a species' status as threatened or endangered.

For More Information
Critical Habitat Maps
Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
Recovery Planning
Status Reviews
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program