Laws and Policies

The Office of Protected Resources follows several mandates for the protection of endangered and threatened marine life, marine mammals, and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

The Endangered Species Act was established in 1973 to conserve the Nation's natural heritage for the enjoyment and benefit of current and future generations by conserving species that are in danger of extinction. Click here to see species listed under the ESA or here for an ESA fact sheet [pdf].

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

The Marine Mammal Protection Act was established in 1972 to protect marine mammals by prohibiting take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S. Click here to see species protected under the MMPA or here for a MMPA fact sheet [pdf].

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

The National Environmental Policy Act was enacted in 1969. NEPA requires Federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their major proposed actions.

• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
• NOAA and NEPA

More Laws

Additional treaties, laws, and policies under which the Office of Protected Resources operates.

More Information

• Glossary of Terms
• GPO Access - Federal Register and other government publications
• Office of Law Enforcement
• Other Environmental Laws
• Policy and Procedures for NOAA Fisheries
• Recent Regulations to Protect Marine Turtles
• Regulations.gov - Review and comment on pending Federal regulations

Updated: August 14, 2012