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11 items match your filter criteria.

Voyage of the Totoaba: A 30-Year Journey, A Lasting Scientific Legacy

A totoaba recovered from the illegal wildlife trade in 1992 lives on through its contributions to research, education, and endangered species conservation.
June 17, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
An infographic titled "Totoaba" with a large brown fish in the middle and a timeline at the bottom of the page. A timeline of one totoaba specimen’s journey from the illegal wildlife trade to its final resting place as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Fish Collection. Credit: Sandra Graubard/NOAA Fisheries

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.
May 19, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with smalltooth sawfish, green turtle, Atlantic salmon, staghorn, North Atlantic right whale, and Tubastraea floreana

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

A look at the Marine Mammal Protection Act's many advancements and accomplishments in the last 50 years.
February 02, 2023 - Podcast ,
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.

U.S. Proposes Strong Protections for Sea Turtles, Totoaba, and Vaquita at CITES Meeting

Representatives from more than 160 countries adopted a total of 46 proposals and reached 365 decisions—a record number—to help regulate international trade of vulnerable species.
December 01, 2022 - Feature Story ,
International
Sea turtle hatchling on beach.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

NOAA Fisheries marks 50 years of marine mammal science, conservation, and recovery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
July 30, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Gray whales swimming Gray whales were nearly hunted to extinction by commercial whaling. Protections under the MMPA, ESA, and the end of commercial whaling have allowed the species to recover. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #19091).

Survivor Vaquita Porpoises Escape Extinction Longer Than Expected

At least seven to eight remain but deadly fishing is on the increase.
July 28, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
International
A pair of vaquita swimming south of the town of San Felipe, Baja California. Note the nick in the dorsal fin of the larger individual in the foreground. This was likely caused by past interactions with gillnets, from which the animal successfully escaped. Photo: Copyright Todd Pusser. A pair of vaquita swimming south of the town of San Felipe, Baja California. Note the nick in the dorsal fin of the larger individual in the foreground. This was likely caused by past interactions with gillnets, from which the animal successfully escaped. Photo: Copyright Todd Pusser.

Endangered Vaquita Porpoise Not Doomed to Extinction by Inbreeding Depression

Study finds vaquitas are unlikely to be heavily impacted by inbreeding depression that can often undermine the survival of small populations, and have a high probability to recover if deaths in gillnets are immediately halted.
May 05, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
International
Photograph of a mother vaquita and her calf surfacing in the waters off San Felipe, Mexico. As recently as Fall 2021 vaquitas were seen with calves. Credit: Paula Olson, 2008. A mother and calf vaquita surface in the waters off San Felipe, Mexico. As recently as Fall 2021 vaquitas were seen with calves. Credit: Paula Olson, 2008

Genetic Milestones Multiply Value of Tissue Collections, Revealing New Species and More

Scientists to complete genomes of six cetaceans this year, for nine out of 14 families.
May 03, 2021 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Survey team aboard a vessel looking for vaquitas at sea Teams survey the Gulf of California for signs of the highly endangered vaquita, a small porpoise driven toward extinction by gillnets that entangle and drown them. Sequencing of the vaquita genome has provided insights on conservation of the species. Photo: NOAA Fisheries.

11 Cool Facts About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises

Did you know these marine mammals are part of the cetacean family? Check out these facts to learn more.
February 16, 2021 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
finback image for 2020 whale week Finback whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Endangered Vaquita Remain Genetically Healthy Even in Low Numbers, New Analysis Shows

Study found no sign of inbreeding or “extinction vortex” often linked to small populations.
October 23, 2020 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Person looking through binoculars Researchers search the Gulf of California for some of the last remaining vaquita, a highly endangered species of small porpoise.