The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires federal agencies to consult NOAA Fisheries on all actions authorized, funded, or undertaken by the agency that adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) also requires federal action agencies to consult with us to ensure that wildlife conservation be given equal consideration to other features of water resource development programs.
Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must consult with NOAA Fisheries when any action the agency carries out, funds, or authorizes may affect either a species listed as threatened or endangered under the Act, or any critical habitat designated for it. Section 7 Consultation is designed to assist federal agencies in fulfilling their duty to ensure any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. Separately, for incidental take authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, please see the Office of Protected Resources guidance.
- Recordings of EFH and ESA Consultations Trainings
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)
For information on EFH consultations, please see the resources below from GARFO’s Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division:
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
For information on ESA Section 7 consultations, please see resources from GARFO’s Protected Resources Division below:
All consultations requests and inquiries should be directed directly to the ESA Section 7 service account nmfs.gar.esa.section7@noaa.gov.
