3.2: Marine & Coastal Species
Recovered and healthy marine and coastal species Other Information:
The wide range of human and natural impacts on marine, estuarine and diadromous (that is, fish that migrate between marine
and freshwater habitats) species has led to listing of many of these species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA), with petitions to list additional species received every year. NOAA has statutory responsibility for such
listed species as well as for most marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. As human populations increase and
the impacts of global climate change are realized, ensuring the recovery and long-term health of all these species is an important
goal for the Nation. To ensure the sustainability and resilience of these species and the ecosystems that support them, NOAA,
Federal, State, tribal and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry require science-based policy guidance,
economic incentive programs, and sound regulations and enforcement. To achieve this objective, NOAA will improve its understanding
of the status of listed and at-risk species and develop and implement robust recovery and conservation for those species listed
and at-risk. Rigorous single-species and ecosystem assessments, as well as a stronger understanding of the impacts of changes
on species' status that are planned in this objective, will be a key component. Coupled with this information, NOAA will undertake
efforts to effect robust listing decisions, and conduct consultations for listed and at-risk species, permitting processes,
and similar regulatory efforts. NOAA will continue to work in strong partnership with other Federal, State, local and tribal
agencies, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholder groups to ensure that recovery and conservation plans are robust,
useful and implemented. The international dimensions of this objective require participation in international species management
for anadromous fish (fish that live in the ocean mostly and breed in fresh water), and marine mammals. Together these efforts
will ensure that iconic and at-risk species can flourish. Over the next five years, evidence of progress toward this objective
will include: * Stabilized or increased abundance of species that are depleted, threatened, or endangered; * Decreased bycatch
of protected species; and * Increased number of protected species with improving status.
Indicator(s):
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