NMFS—a Partner for Endangered Species
Terri Jordan
NMFS is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NMFS national headquarters office is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, with five regional offices and supporting science centers in the Northeast, Southeast (including the U.S. Caribbean islands), Southwest (including Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific islands), Northwest, and Alaska.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) assigns lead responsibility for most marine and anadromous species to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Although most people think of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) when it comes to the protection and recovery of endangered wildlife, NMFS, like its partner agency FWS, lists species and designates critical habitat, consults with Federal agencies to ensure their activities do not jeopardize listed species, prepares and implements recovery plans, develops cooperative agreements with States, enforces legal protection, and issues permits for scientific research and incidental take of listed species. Species under NMFS jurisdiction that are listed or proposed for listing include cetaceans (dolphins and whales), sea turtles, marine and anadromous (those that spend part of their life in salt water and part in fresh water) fish, seals and sea lions, and marine plants. A complete list of listed, proposed, and candidate species under NMFS jurisdiction is included in the table below.
NMFS Species List
Listed/Proposed
Fish
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Salmon, chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Snake River Fall
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Snake River
Spring/Summer
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Sacramento River
Winter-Run
Salmon, coho Oncorhynchus kisutch Southern
Oregon-Northern
California Coast
Oncorhynchus kisutch Central California
Coast
Salmon, sockeye Oncorhynchus nerka Snake River
Sturgeon, Gulf Acipenser oxyrinchus Gulf of Mexico
desotoi
Sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum Canada to Florida
shortnose
Totoaba Cynoscion macdonaldi Gulf of California
Trout, cutthroat Oncorhynchus clarki Umpqua River,
clarki Oregon
Trout, steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss Lower Columbia
River
Oncorhynchus mykiss Snake River Basin
Oncorhynchus mykiss Klamath Mountains
Province
Oncorhynchus mykiss Upper Columbia
River
Oncorhynchus mykiss Southern
California
Oncorhynchus mykiss Central California
Coast
Oncorhynchus mykiss California Central
Valley
Oncorhynchus mykiss Oregon Coast
Oncorhynchus mykiss South-Central
Coast
Oncorhynchus mykiss Northern
California
Fish
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Salmon, chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered
Salmon, coho Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened
Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened
Salmon, sockeye Oncorhynchus nerka Endangered
Sturgeon, Gulf Acipenser oxyrinchus Threatened
desotoi
Sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum Endangered
shortnose
Totoaba Cynoscion macdonaldi Endangered
Trout, cutthroat Oncorhynchus clarki Endangered
clarki
Trout, steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss Proposed
Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Proposed
Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered
Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered
Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Proposed
Endangered
Oncorhynchus mykiss Proposed
Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened
Oncorhynchus mykiss Proposed
Threatened
Mammal
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Dolphin, Chinese Lipotes vexillifer Yangtze River,
River China
Dolphin, Platanista minor Indus River Indus
River, Pakistan
Porpoise, harbor Phocoena phocoena Gulf of Maine/Bay
of Fundy
Porpoise, harbor, Phocoena sinus Gulf of California
Gulf of California
(Vaquita, Cochito)
Sea lion, Steller Eumetopias jubatus East of
144 [degrees]
Long
Eumetopias jubatus West of
144 [degrees]
Long
Seal, Caribbean Monachus tropicalis Range-wide
monk
Seal, Guadalupe Arctocephalus Mexico, Southern
fur townsendi California
Seal, Hawaiian Monachus Hawaiian Islands
monk schauinslandi
Seal, Monachus monachus Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean
monk
Seal, Saimaa Phoca hispida Lake Saimaa,
saimensis Finland
Whale, blue Balaenoptera Range-wide
musculus
Whale, bowhead Balaena mysticetus Range-wide
Whale, finback Balaenoptera Range-wide
physalus
Whale, humpback Megaptera Range-wide
novaeangliae
Whale, right Eubalaena glacialis Range-wide
(including australis)
Whale, sei Balaenoptera borealis Range-wide
Whale, sperm Physeter macrocephalus Range-wide
(catodon)
Mammal
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Dolphin, Chinese Lipotes vexillifer Endangered
River
Dolphin, Platanista minor Endangered
Porpoise, harbor Phocoena phocoena Proposed
Threatened
Porpoise, harbor, Phocoena sinus Endangered
Gulf of California
(Vaquita, Cochito)
Sea lion, Steller Eumetopias jubatus Threatened
Eumetopias jubatus Endangered
Seal, Caribbean Monachus tropicalis Endangered
monk
Seal, Guadalupe Arctocephalus Threatened
fur townsendi
Seal, Hawaiian Monachus Endangered
monk schauinslandi
Seal, Monachus monachus Endangered
Mediterranean
monk
Seal, Saimaa Phoca hispida Endangered
saimensis
Whale, blue Balaenoptera Endangered
musculus
Whale, bowhead Balaena mysticetus Endangered
Whale, finback Balaenoptera Endangered
physalus
Whale, humpback Megaptera Endangered
novaeangliae
Whale, right Eubalaena glacialis Endangered
(including australis)
Whale, sei Balaenoptera borealis Endangered
Whale, sperm Physeter macrocephalus Endangered
(catodon)
Reptile
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Sea turtle, green Chelonia mydas Range-wide
Sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata Range-wide
hawksbill
Sea turtle, Kemp’s Lepidochelys kempii Range-wide
(Atlantic) ridley
Sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea Range-wide
leatherback
Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta Range-wide
loggerhead
Sea turtle, olive Lepidochelys olivacea Range-wide
(Pacific) ridley
Reptile
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Sea turtle, green Chelonia mydas Threatened,
certain
populations
endangered
Sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered
hawksbill
Sea turtle, Kemp’s Lepidochelys kempii Endangered
(Atlantic) ridley
Sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea Endangered
leatherback
Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta Threatened
loggerhead
Sea turtle, olive Lepidochelys olivacea Threatened,
(Pacific) ridley certain
populations
endangered
Plant
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Seagrass, Halophila johnsonii Southeast Florida
Johnson’s
Plant
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Seagrass, Halophila johnsonii Proposed
Johnson’s Threatened
Candidate
Fish
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Grouper, Warsaw Epinephelus nigritus MA south to Gulf
of Mexico
Grouper, Nassau Epinephelus striatus NC south to Gulf
of Mexico
Hind, speckled Epinephelus drummondhayi NC south to Gulf
of Mexico
Jewfish Epinephelus itijara NC south to Gulf
of Mexico
Pipefish, opossum Microphis brachyurus Florida, Indian
lineatus River Lagoon
Rivulus, mangrove Rivulus marmoratus Southeast Florida
Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar Gulf of Maine DPS
Salmon, chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha West Coast
Salmon, chum Oncorhynchus keta West Coast
Salmon, coho Oncorhynchus kisutch Puget
Sound/Straits of
Georgia ESU
Oncorhynchus kisutch Oregon Coast ESU
Oncorhynchus kisutch Lower Columbia
River ESU
Oncorhynchus kisutch SW Washington ESU
Salmon, sockeye Oncorhynchus nerka West Coast
Shad, Alabama Alosa alabamae AL, FL
Shark, Dusky Carcharhinus obscurus Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico, Pacific
Shark, Night Carcharhinus signatus Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico
Shark, Sand Tiger Odontaspis taurus Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico
Silverside, Key Menidia conchorum Florida Keys
Sturgeon, Atlantic Acipenser oxyrinchus Atlantic
oxyrinchus
Topminnow, salt Fundulus jenkinsi TX, LA, MS, AL, FL
marsh
Trout, searun Oncorhynchus clarki West Coast
cutthroat clarki
Trout, steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss Middle Columbia
River ESU
Fish
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Grouper, Warsaw Epinephelus nigritus Candidate
Grouper, Nassau Epinephelus striatus Candidate
Hind, speckled Epinephelus drummondhayi Candidate
Jewfish Epinephelus itijara Candidate
Pipefish, opossum Microphis brachyurus Candidate
lineatus
Rivulus, mangrove Rivulus marmoratus Candidate
Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar Candidate
Salmon, chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Candidate
Salmon, chum Oncorhynchus keta Candidate
Salmon, coho Oncorhynchus kisutch Candidate
Oncorhynchus kisutch Candidate
Oncorhynchus kisutch Candidate
Oncorhynchus kisutch Candidate
Salmon, sockeye Oncorhynchus nerka Candidate
Shad, Alabama Alosa alabamae Candidate
Shark, Dusky Carcharhinus obscurus Candidate
Shark, Night Carcharhinus signatus Candidate
Shark, Sand Tiger Odontaspis taurus Candidate
Silverside, Key Menidia conchorum Candidate
Sturgeon, Atlantic Acipenser oxyrinchus Candidate
oxyrinchus
Topminnow, salt Fundulus jenkinsi Candidate
marsh
Trout, searun Oncorhynchus clarki Candidate
cutthroat clarki
Trout, steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss Candidate
Mammal
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Whale, beluga Delphinapterus leucas Cook Inlet, Alaska
Mammal
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Whale, beluga Delphinapterus leucas Candidate
Mollusk
Common Name Scientific Name Population/Range
Abalone, white Haliotis sorenseni California; Baja,
CA
Mollusk
Common Name Scientific Name ESA Status
Abalone, white Haliotis sorenseni Candidate
Marine Mammals
The agency’s mandate to protect species extends beyond the ESA to include marine mammals under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA). Under this law, NMFS has Federal jurisdiction for all marine mammal species (about 45) occurring in U.S. waters, with the exception of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), sea otter (Enhydra lutris), walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), and West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), which are managed by the FWS. Currently, 11 species of marine mammals native to U.S. waters, including most of the large whale species, are also classified as threatened or endangered under the ESA.
The eastern north Pacific population of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) represents the most successful recovery of any marine mammal species. Previously hunted to near extinction, it recovered to become the first marine mammal stock removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife. In contrast, the northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is a species in peril. Historically, commercial whaling severely depleted the species. More recently, ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the most serious direct threats to right whales. With approximately 300 individuals remaining, NMFS is taking steps to recover the species in the North Atlantic Ocean by contributing to studies using satellite and radio telemetry to determine habitat use, assisting in aircraft surveillance flights to help ships avoid striking whales, and working with commercial fisherman to reduce the threat of whale entanglement in fishing gear.
Sea Turtles
For some species, such as sea turtles, NMFS and the FWS share responsibility. The FWS is responsible for protection of sea turtles in their nesting beach habitat, while NMFS has jurisdiction for turtles in estuarine and marine environments. Six species of sea turtles are listed either as endangered or threatened under the ESA: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). In conjunction with the FWS and State natural resource agencies, NMFS is focusing on recovery of sea turtle populations. NMFS research and monitoring activities include fishery observer programs, life history studies in marine habitats, aerial surveys, and collection of data on stranded turtles.
The southeast U.S. (North Carolina through Florida) is home to the largest assemblage of nesting loggerheads in the Western Hemisphere. The vast majority of the nesting occurs along the east coast of Florida. In recent years, between 60,000 and 85,000 nests have been recorded annually on southeast U.S. beaches. The marine and estuarine habitats of the southeast U.S. are equally critical to the recovery of the loggerhead. Considerable joint agency efforts are needed to ensure the long-term protection of both nesting and marine habitat for this species.
Florida and Hawaii are the main nesting and foraging areas for green turtles in the U.S., where the nesting populations have shown encouraging signs of recovery. But the future of this species remains at risk due to poaching, capture in nearshore gillnets, and the increasing scope and magnitude of a tumor affliction disease known as fibropapilloma. (See Bulletin Vol. XXI, No. 2.)
The Kemp’s ridley is unusual in that it nests primarily on one main beach, Rancho Nuevo, on Mexico’s northern Gulf Coast. In 1947, 40,000 females were documented to nest on a single day. The population plummeted due to overexploitation and incidental capture in commercial fisheries. Today, with strong protection of the nesting beach and the requirement to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawls, the nesting population has been increasing from approximately 700 nests per year in the mid-1980’s to 2,300 nests in 1997.
TEDs are devices incorporated into shrimp trawls that prevent a turtle from drowning in the tailbag of the net by directing the turtle through an escape opening. These devices have provided benefits for many species of sea turtles inhabiting the southeast Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and have been implemented in the shrimp fishing fleets of some foreign nations as well. NMFS has spearheaded the development and improvement of TEDs and has also provided technical assistance to foreign nations in implementing the use of TEDs in their shrimp fisheries.
Pacific Salmon
The listing of Pacific salmon stocks in the early 1990’s increased NMFS’ opportunities to work with western States, Native American tribes, private landowners, and other Federal agencies to recover salmon. The recovery effort for salmonids is complex due to their wide geographic range and the effect of these listing actions on a wide variety of interests. The Northwest and Southwest Regions of NMFS have taken the lead in determining the current status of seven Pacific salmonid species: chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), sea-run cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki), pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
Currently, 12 separate stocks or evolutionary significant units (ESUs) of Pacific salmonids are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA (see table). NMFS is conducting status reviews for populations of all seven salmonid species found along the Pacific coast of the U.S. Thus far, it has determined that, in addition to those listed or proposed for listing, the biological status of some did not warrant ESA listing.
NMFS has worked closely with western States to develop strategies for species recovery, including a conservation plan with the State of Oregon to protect coho salmon and a habitat conservation plan (HCP) with the State of Washington to protect 1.6 million acres (0.6 million hectares) of inland habitat for salmon. Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began implementing its HCP in January 1997. It protects the habitat of salmonids and other species by modifying timber management practices on DNR lands for the next 70-100 years (the permit term). The new practices are intended to conserve riparian habitats that provide essential functions for freshwater aquatic systems important to salmon. Conservation measures include increased riparian buffers, additional wind buffers in wind throw prone areas, road maintenance and abandonment plans, and a strong monitoring plan. NMFS works very closely with tribes that depend upon salmon, helping the tribes maintain their culture and exercise their treaty rights. NMFS is currently working with about 50 non-Federal landowners to develop HCPs that cover vast areas of salmon habitat in the western States.
In July of 1997, NMFS updated its Candidate Species List. The list includes species for which reliable information is available that a listing may be warranted. However, NMFS will require further information (i.e., status review) before it makes a decision to propose any of these species for listing. Currently, 22 species (including vertebrate populations) are classified as candidate species. (See table.)
As a vital partner in the effort to protect and restore our Nation’s vulnerable wildlife heritage, NMFS faces monumental challenges. However, the cooperative relationships being forged with other government agencies, Native American tribes, and the private sector provide hope that the conservation goals we all share can eventually be achieved.
Terri Jordan is a Fishery Biologist with the NMFS Headquarters’ Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, Maryland.
COPYRIGHT 1998 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
