Protecting Marine Life
Protecting Marine Life Navigation Block
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![Necropsy team working on da stranded humpback whale](/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-06/necropsy-team-stranded-humpback.jpg?h=34bbd072&itok=l0RfiVzB)
![a group photo of 2022 Guam Sea Turtle Research Internship](/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-06/unnamed-0.jpg?h=22e76189&itok=_E8HCAQ3)
![phinah on the beach doing research](/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-06/biologist-on-the-beach.jpg?h=2a479378&itok=-m2SF5fM)
Explore Related Topics
Endangered Species Act
Under the ESA, we protect more than 150 critically imperiled species, including 63 foreign species. We determine which species are listed under the ESA, designate critical habitat, and develop and implement recovery plans.
![250x250_green_seagrass_rpvandam.jpg 250x250_green_seagrass_rpvandam.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/250x250_green_seagrass_rpvandam.jpg?itok=G43H4xP9)
Marine Mammal Protection Act
The MMPA makes it our job to protect all whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. This law prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "take" of marine mammals—including harassment, hunting, capture, collection, or killing—in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas.
![250x250-leopard-seal-NOAA-OPR.jpg 250x250-leopard-seal-NOAA-OPR.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/250x250-leopard-seal-noaa-opr.jpg?itok=yo4wNbBN)
Permits & Authorizations
Activities that might impact marine life often require permits and authorizations. These activities can include scientific research, photography, commercial fishing, construction projects, and other actions.
![250x250-dolphins-Pacific-Ocean.jpg 250x250-dolphins-Pacific-Ocean.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/250x250-dolphins-pacific-ocean.jpg?itok=lNs0tvlC)
Consultations
We advise and collaborate with federal agencies and tribes on activities that may impact endangered species, marine mammals, and marine habitats to ensure they are not harmed.
![250x250-southern-resident-killer-whales.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/250x250-southern-resident-killer-whales.jpg?itok=P5VE0wng)
Enforcement
Our enforcement officers and special agents enforce the laws and regulations meant to ensure the protection of marine mammals and other protected species.
![230x230-ole-boat-maui-thumbnail.jpg 230x230-ole-boat-maui-thumbnail.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/230x230-ole-boat-maui-thumbnail.jpg?itok=074ZUR6n)
Population Assessments
We collect and analyze data on the marine mammal and sea turtle populations by gathering scientific information on a species or stock’s population structure, life history characteristics and productivity rates, abundance, and threats.
![250x250-SSL5-thumb.jpg 250x250-SSL5-thumb.jpg](/s3//styles/original/s3/dam-migration/250x250-ssl5-thumb.jpg?itok=c0hj0Ce2)