Endangered
Species Conservation
The
NMFS Office of Protected Resources (OPR) is charged
with the implementation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(ESA) for marine and anadromous species. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service implements programs and regulations
for terrestrial and freshwater species under the ESA.
The
Office serves as the principal liaison for NMFS with environmental
organizations, industry, other Federal and state agencies,
the academic community and works with the NMFS Regions and
Fisheries Science Centers on the conservation and recovery
of species listed under the ESA.
OPR develops, implements,
and administers programs for the protection, conservation,
and recovery of species protected under the ESA. The
Office also develops and implements policies, procedures,
and regulations for permits to take listed species according
to the ESA. Additionally,
the Office establishes cooperative agreements with states
regarding listed species management and protection and identifies
endangered species research needs to collect appropriate information
for management decisions.
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