Protected Species List

A variety of species of sea turtles, seabirds, marine mammals, elasmobranchs, and corals occur in U.S. waters managed by the Council. The following species lists note whether the species is listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) within the Pacific Ocean, and for marine mammals, whether the species is designated as strategic under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Where available, a link to more information from NMFS or USFWS is included. To jump to a specific species group, click on one of the following links:

• Sea turtles
• Seabirds
• Marine mammals
• Elasmobranchs
• Corals

SEA TURTLES

All sea turtles that occur in U.S. waters are protected under the ESA and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Council studies, protects, and manages sea turtles through a suite of conservation projects and management measures.

	Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) ESA Endangered: Central South Pacific DPS, Central West Pacific DPS ESA Threatened: Central North Pacific DPS, East Pacific DPS More information
	Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) ESA Endangered: Throughout its range More information
	Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) ESA Endangered: Throughout its range More information
	Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) ESA Endangered: North Pacific Ocean DPS, South Pacific Ocean DPS ESA Threatened: Southeast Indo-Pacific Ocean DPS More information
	Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) ESA Endangered: Mexico’s Pacific coast breeding populations ESA Threatened: All other populations More information

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SEABIRDS

Most migratory bird species in the U.S. are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and many are protected under the ESA and CITES. Seabirds are managed by USFWS, unlike nearly all other marine protected species, which are managed by NMFS. The following is a list of seabirds that are covered under ESA consultations, or that have interacted with Council-managed fisheries. Although Hawai’i-based longline fisheries have interacted with unidentified gulls, gull species are not included here because of the large number of gull species that occur within those fishing grounds. Many more seabird species occur in waters managed by the Council, which uses a variety of management measures to protect them.