Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, May 19–December 28, 2023! This landmark legislation is a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats.
Under the Act, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the protection, conservation, and recovery of more than 160 endangered and threatened marine and anadromous species. At NOAA Fisheries, we rely on the best available science to implement the ESA. During this monumental commemoration of 50 years, we highlight our science, conservation, partnerships, and people who implement the ESA through the features and videos below.
Follow along on our NOAA Fisheries social media channels and stay tuned for more content.
Features
Frequently Asked Questions—Rice’s Whales
Learn about Rice’s whales—their population status, habitat, threats, and other frequently asked questions.
Read the frequently asked questions
Supporting Endangered Atlantic Sturgeon in the Chesapeake Bay
Work in the Chesapeake Bay includes identifying and protecting habitat used by these fish for spawning, seeking to minimize vessel strikes, and educating students about these fish.
Supporting endangered Atlantic sturgeon in the Chesapeake Bay
Green Turtle Conservation Successes and Continuing Challenges
A look at successes and challenges faced by different green turtle populations.
Green sea turtle conservation successes and challenges
Smalltooth Sawfish and Climate Change: Impacts of Habitat Loss on Range and Distribution
Unpredictable weather patterns, warming ocean temperatures, and rising sea levels caused by climate change reduce available habitat for the endangered smalltooth sawfish.
Smalltooth sawfish and climate change
Sharks, Rays, and Climate Change: Impacts on Habitat, Prey Distribution, and Health
Warming ocean temperatures and more intense storms caused by climate change are impacting prey availability and habitat quality for migratory sharks and rays, keystone species in the ocean.
More on sharks, rays, and climate change
Celebrating Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery Efforts
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on our recovery efforts to reduce bycatch to protect and conserve sea turtles.
Recovery efforts to reduce sea turtle bycatch
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Propose Revisions to Regulations Implementing the Endangered Species Act
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are proposing a series of revisions to the joint regulations that guide their implementation of this landmark statute.
Proposed revisions to regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act
Alaska’s Threatened and Endangered Species
In celebration of the Endangered Species Act’s 50th Anniversary, NOAA is featuring the marine mammal and sea turtle species found in Alaska that are protected under the ESA.
Learn more about Alaska's threatened and endangered species
The “Steller” Success Story of a Sea Lion Population
Removed from the Endangered Species List in 2013, the eastern distinct population segment of the Steller sea lion is still recovered a decade later.
Success story of a sea lion population
Threatened and Endangered Species of the Southeastern United States
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act by getting to know some of the threatened and endangered species found in the waters of the southeastern United States.
Threatened and endangered species of the Southeastern United States
ESA Turns 50: A Conversation in Sawfish Conservation
Experts meet to celebrate smalltooth sawfish and talk about the future of the species.
Learn more about endangered smalltooth sawfish
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Pacific leatherback sea turtles from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Pacific leatherback sea turtles
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Sacramento River Winter-Run Chinook Salmon
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Sacramento River winter-run Chinook Salmon from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Southern Resident killer whales from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Southern Resident killer whales
Video: Climate Change and Marine Animals—A Conservation Challenge
Climate-driven changes such as higher ocean temperatures and extreme weather events are affecting the health of marine animals—and their ability to survive.
Watch the video on climate change and marine mammals
Saving Central California Coast Coho: Celebrating People and Partnerships Behind Recovery
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Central California Coast coho from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Central California Coast coho
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving White Abalone
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving white abalone from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving white abalone
Join NOAA Fisheries in Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act
NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit discusses how the Endangered Species Act is a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats.
Podcast: The Endangered Species Act at 50
Listen in! NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit celebrates 50 years of the Endangered Species Act and discusses why it is such a foundational law.
Video: NOAA Fisheries and the Endangered Species Act
Species in the Spotlight
Of all the species NOAA Fisheries protects under the Endangered Species Act, we consider nine among the most at risk of extinction in the near future.
Learn more about our Species in the Spotlight efforts
Endangered Species Conservation
To implement the Endangered Species Act, we rely on the best available science. We work with international federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations and private citizens.
Dive into endangered species conservation
The Endangered Species Act continues to be a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats. Less than 1 percent of the species listed under the ESA have gone extinct. Others have been recovered to the point where they no longer need protections under the ESA.
Learn about some of our success stories
