Protected Resources Policy Directives

02-102 Notice of Policy on Applying the Definition of Species Under the ESA to Pacific Salmon (PDF, 8 pages)

02-103 Policy Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments under the Endangered Species Act (PDF, 6 pages)

02-104 Notice of Policy for Conserving Species Listed or Proposed for Listing Under the ESA While Providing and Enhancing Recreational Fisheries Opportunities (PDF, 8 pages)

02-105 Final Policy for Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (PDF, 14 pages)

02-106 Safe Harbor Policy (PDF, 12 pages)

02-108 Policy Regarding Controlled Propagation of Species Listed under the ESA (PDF, 8 pages)

02-109 Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PDF, 17 pages)

02-110 Endangered Species Act (PDF, 2 pages)

• 02-110-01 NMFS Endangered and Threatened Species: Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines (PDF, 4 pages)

• 02-110-03 Recovery Planning Guidance (PDF, 1 page)

• 02-110-09 Endangered Species Consultation Handbook: Procedures for Conducting Consultation and Conference Activities under Section 7 of the ESA (PDF, 2 pages)

• 02-110-15 5-Year Review Guidance (PDF, 76 pages)

• 02-110-16 Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan Guidance (PDF, 1 page) 

• 02-110-18 Guidance for Treatment of Climate Change in NMFS Endangered Species Act Decisions (PDF, 8 pages)

• 02-110-19 Definition of "Harass" in the Endangered Species Act (PDF, 6 pages)

• 02-110-20 "No Effect" Determinations (PDF, 3 pages)

• 02-110-21 Process for Post-Interaction Mortality Determinations of Sea Turtles Bycaught in Trawl, Net, and Pot/Trap Fisheries (PDF, 22 pages)

• 02-110-22 Legal Review and Quality Assurance Standards for ESA Section 7 Consultations (PDF, 6 pages) 

• 02-110-23 Policy for the Ecosystem Approach to the Endangered Species Act (PDF, 2 pages)

• 02-110-24 Policy for Information Standards Under the Endangered Species Act (PDF, 2 pages)

• 02-110-25 Policy for Peer Review in Endangered Species Act Activities (PDF, 2 pages) 

• 02-110-26 Policy on Recovery Plan Participation and Implementation Under the Endangered Species Action (PDF, 2 pages)

• 02-110-27 Policy for Endangered Species Act Section 9 Prohibitions (PDF, 2 pages) 

• 02-110-28 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of Interagency Cooperative Policy Regarding the Role of State Agencies in ESA Activities (PDF, 5 pages)

02-201 Policy Regarding Marine Mammal and Endangered Species Permit and Permit Applications (PDF, 4 pages)

02-203 Policy Regarding Applications to Approach, Harass, and Feed Bottlenose Dolphins for Public Display (PDF, 3 pages) 

02-204 Marine Mammal Protection Act (PDF, 2 pages) 

• 02-204-01 Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA (PDF, 43 pages)

• 02-204-02 Criteria for Determining Negligible Impact under MMPA Section 101(a)(5)(E) (PDF, 20 pages)

• 02-204-03 Reviewing and Designating Stocks and Issuing Stock Assessment Reports under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (PDF, 9 pages)

02-238 Process for Distinguishing Serious from Non-Serious Injury of Marine Mammals (PDF, 5 pages) 

• 02-238-01 Process for Injury Determinations (PDF, 55 pages)

02-304 Policy on the Consideration of Hatchery-Origin Fish in Endangered Species Act Listing Determinations for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead (PDF, 14 pages)

02-305 Delegation of Authority for Appointment of Recovery Team Members Under the ESA (PDF, 2 pages)

02-306 Delegation of Authority for Review and Renewal of Section 6 Agreements under the ESA (PDF, 2 pages)

02-308 Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (PDF, 3 pages)

• 02-308-01 NMFS Facility Standards for Rehabiliting ESA-listed species (PDF, 5 pages)

• 02-308-02 NMFS Placement Process for Non-Releasable Marine Mammals (PDF, 9 pages)

• 02-308-03 NMFS Process for Permit Applications to Retain Releasable Rehabilitated Marine Mammals for Public Display (PDF, 6 pages)

• 02-308-04 NMFS Process for Authorizing Possession of Marine Mammal Parts from Stranded Animals by Researchers Conducting Research of Sharks (PDF, 8 pages)

02-309 Ocean Noise Policy (PDF, 3 pages)

• 02-309-01 Ocean Noise Procedure (PDF, 2 pages)