Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, May 19–December 28, 2023! This landmark legislation is a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats.
Under the Act, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the protection, conservation, and recovery of more than 160 endangered and threatened marine and anadromous species. At NOAA Fisheries, we rely on the best available science to implement the ESA. During this monumental commemoration of 50 years, we highlight our science, conservation, partnerships, and people who implement the ESA through the features and videos below.
Follow along on our NOAA Fisheries social media channels and stay tuned for more content.
Features
ESA Turns 50: A Conversation in Sawfish Conservation
Experts meet to celebrate smalltooth sawfish and talk about the future of the species.
Learn more about endangered smalltooth sawfish
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Pacific leatherback sea turtles from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Pacific leatherback sea turtles
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Sacramento River Winter-Run Chinook Salmon
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Sacramento River winter-run Chinook Salmon from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Southern Resident killer whales from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Southern Resident killer whales
Video: Climate Change and Marine Animals—A Conservation Challenge
Climate-driven changes such as higher ocean temperatures and extreme weather events are affecting the health of marine animals—and their ability to survive.
Watch the video on climate change and marine mammals
Saving Central California Coast Coho: Celebrating People and Partnerships Behind Recovery
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving Central California Coast coho from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving Central California Coast coho
Celebrating the People and Partnerships Saving White Abalone
Marking the 50th year of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, we are shining a spotlight on the biologists and partnerships saving white abalone from extinction.
Celebrating the people and partners saving white abalone
Join NOAA Fisheries in Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act
NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit discusses how the Endangered Species Act is a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats.
Podcast: The Endangered Species Act at 50
Listen in! NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit celebrates 50 years of the Endangered Species Act and discusses why it is such a foundational law.
Video: NOAA Fisheries and the Endangered Species Act
Species in the Spotlight
Of all the species NOAA Fisheries protects under the Endangered Species Act, we consider nine among the most at risk of extinction in the near future.
Learn more about our Species in the Spotlight efforts
Endangered Species Conservation
To implement the Endangered Species Act, we rely on the best available science. We work with international federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations and private citizens.
Dive into endangered species conservation
The Endangered Species Act continues to be a powerful and effective tool for conserving species and their habitats. Less than 1 percent of the species listed under the ESA have gone extinct. Others have been recovered to the point where they no longer need protections under the ESA.
Learn about some of our success stories
