Protective Regulations for Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act: Section 4(d)
Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act directs NOAA Fisheries to issue regulations that are necessary and advisable to conserve species listed as threatened.
What is a 4(d) rule?
The term “4(d) rule” refers to protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the ESA for threatened species. Unlike endangered species, when a species is listed as threatened, the prohibitions identified in section 9 of the ESA do not automatically apply to that species. Under section 9 of the ESA, it is illegal to import, export, or take endangered species for any purpose, including commercial activity. The term “take” means to harass, hunt, shoot, capture, trap, kill, collect, wound, harm, or pursue an ESA-listed species, or attempt any of these activities. For threatened species, we can issue regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA to extend some, or all, of the section 9 prohibitions.
A 4(d) rule allows us to customize prohibitions and regulate activities to provide for the conservation of threatened species. In issuing a 4(d) rule, NOAA Fisheries considers the species’ biology, conservation needs, and threats and determines which activities need to be regulated or prohibited in order to conserve the species.
Which species have 4(d) rules?
Species |
4(d) Rule
|
Code of Federal Regulations Citation |
Marine Mammals |
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|
50 FR 51252 (December 16, 1985) |
50 CFR 223.201 |
|
|
75 FR 65239 (October 22, 2010) |
50 CFR 223.212 |
|
81 FR 62259 (September 8, 2016) |
50 CFR 223.213 |
Sea Turtles |
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|
81 FR 20057 (April 6, 2016); 43 FR 32800 (July 28, 1978) |
50 CFR 223.205 50 CFR 223.206 50 CFR 223.207 |
|
76 FR 58867 (September 22, 2011); 43 FR 32800 (July 28, 1978) |
50 CFR 223.205 50 CFR 223.206 50 CFR 223.207 |
|
43 FR 32800 (July 28, 1978) |
50 CFR 223.205 50 CFR 223.206 50 CFR 223.207 |
|
Fishes |
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|
70 FR 37160 (June 28, 2005); |
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
70 FR 37160 (June 28, 2005); |
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
65 FR 42422 (July 10, 2000) |
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
|
70 FR 37160 (June 28, 2005); |
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
71 FR 834 (January 5, 2006); |
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
|
50 CFR 223.203 |
|
|
50 CFR 223.211 |
|
|
56 FR 49653 (September 30, 1991) |
50 CFR 17.44(v) |
|
50 CFR 223.210 |
|
Corals |
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|
50 CFR 223.208 |
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|
50 CFR 223.208 |