The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Conserving Species

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act by learning more about NOAA's work to conserve endangered species and their habitats.

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Two humpback whales swimming underwater. The water is very blue, and the surface is visible just above their heads. Humpback whales swimming underwater. Credit: Kogia.org
Baby white abalone crawling on a kelp stipe Baby white abalone crawling on a kelp stipe at the Aquarium of the Pacific captive breeding facility. Credit: Jen Burney, Aquarium of the Pacific
Gray whale breaches, or leaps up and out of the water, with mountains in the background. Gray whale breaching. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Merrill Gosho.
Family-fishing Corey Arnold, courtesy of Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.jpg Credit: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.
750x500-leatherback-sea-turtle.jpg An endangered leatherback sea turtle swimming at the ocean surface. Once prevalent in almost every ocean, the leatherback population is rapidly declining in many parts of the world. As one of NOAA Fisheries’ Species in the Spotlight, we have made it a priority to focus recovery efforts on stabilizing and recovering the leatherback sea turtle to prevent its extinction. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries