Endangered Species Conservation | NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the protection, conservation, and recovery of more than 160 endangered and threatened marine and anadromous species.
foreign species
Under the ESA, we must list species as endangered or threatened regardless of where they are found. The ESA benefits <anchor>foreign species</anchor> by restricting their commercial trade and facilitating bilateral and multilateral efforts and agreements. Listing foreign species can also increase global awareness of the threats they face, which may fuel conservation efforts.
Foreign Species | NOAA Fisheries
Foreign Species \| NOAA Fisheries

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  - [Fish & Sharks](/fish-sharks)
  - [Highly Migratory Species](/highly-migratory-species)
  - [Invertebrates](/invertebrates)
  - [Sea Turtles](/sea-turtles)
  - [Seals & Sea Lions](/seals-sea-lions)
  - [Whales](/whales)
Protected Species





  - [All Threatened & Endangered Species](/species-directory/threatened-endangered)
  - [Marine Mammals](/species-directory/marine-mammals)
Species By Region





  - [Alaska](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001106&items_per_page=25)
  - [New England/Mid-Atlantic](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001111&items_per_page=25)
  - [Pacific Islands](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001116&items_per_page=25)
  - [Southeast](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001121&items_per_page=25)
  - [West Coast](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001126&items_per_page=25)
Helpful Resources





  - [Marine Life Viewing Guidelines](/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines#guidelines-&-distances)
  - [Marine Life in Distress](/topic/marine-life-distress)
  - [Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal](/report)
  - [Species in the Spotlight](/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight)
- Fishing & Seafood  [Sustainable Fisheries](/topic/sustainable-fisheries)





  - [Bycatch](/topic/bycatch)
  - [Catch Shares](/national/laws-and-policies/catch-shares)
  - [Fishery Observers](/topic/fishery-observers)
  - [Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing](/topic/international-affairs/iuu-fishing)
  - [Magnuson-Stevens Act](/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act)
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys)
  - [Population Assessments](/topic/population-assessments)
[Resources for Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing)





  - [Commercial Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing)
  - [Recreational Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/recreational-fishing)
  - [Subsistence Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/subsistence-fishing)
  - [Fishery Management Info](/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules)
  - [Permits & Forms](/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood)
  - [Rules & Regulations by Region](/rules-and-regulations/fisheries)
[Sustainable Seafood](/topic/sustainable-seafood)





  - [Seafood Profiles](/topic/sustainable-seafood/seafood-profiles)
  - [Aquaculture](/topic/aquaculture)
  - [Commerce & Trade](/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade)
  - [Seafood Inspection](/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafood-inspection)
Related Topics





  - [Atlantic Highly Migratory Species](/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species)
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy)
  - [Cooperative Research](/sustainable-fisheries/national-cooperative-research-program)
  - [Enforcement](/topic/enforcement)
  - [Financial Services](/funding-opportunities#financial-services)
  - [International Affairs](/topic/international-affairs)
  - [Science & Data](/science-and-data)
  - [Socioeconomics](/topic/socioeconomics)
- Protecting Marine Life  [Endangered Species Conservation](/topic/endangered-species-conservation)





  - [Listing Species Under ESA](/national/endangered-species-conservation/listing-species-under-endangered-species-act)
  - [Critical Habitat](/national/endangered-species-conservation/critical-habitat)
  - [Consultations](/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations)
  - [Species Recovery](/national/endangered-species-conservation/recovery-species-under-endangered-species-act)
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys)
  - [Species in the Spotlight](/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight)
  - [Endangered Species Act](/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act)
[Marine Mammal Protection](/topic/marine-mammal-protection)





  - [Health & Stranding Response](/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program)
  - [Marine Mammal Protection Act](/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act)
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys)
  - [Population Assessments](/topic/population-assessments/marine-mammals)
  - [Take Reduction Plans](/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams)
[Marine Life in Distress](/topic/marine-life-distress)





  - [Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal](/report)
  - [Bycatch](/topic/bycatch)
  - [Ocean Acoustics/Noise](/national/science-data/ocean-noise)
  - [Unusual Mortality Events](/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events)
  - [Vessel Strikes](/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes)
Related Topics





  - [Marine Life Viewing Guidelines](/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines)
  - [Enforcement](/topic/enforcement)
  - [Funding Opportunities](/funding-opportunities)
  - [International Cooperation](/topic/international-affairs/international-cooperation-on-key-issues)
  - [Permits & Authorizations](/permits-and-forms/protected-resources)
  - [Regulations & Actions](/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources)
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy)
  - [Science & Data](/science-and-data)
- Environment  [Ecosystems](/topic/ecosystems)





  - [U.S. Regional Ecosystems](/topic/ecosystems/u.s.-regional-ecosystems)
  - [Management](/topic/ecosystems/ecosystem-based-fishery-management)
  - [Science](/topic/ecosystems/science)
[Habitat Conservation](/topic/habitat-conservation)





  - [Priority Restoration Investments](/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act)
  - [Habitat Restoration](/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-restore)
  - [Habitat Protection](/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-protect)
  - [Types of Habitat](/topic/habitat-conservation/types-of-habitat)
  - [Habitat by Region](/topic/habitat-conservation/habitat-conservation-in-the-regions)
  - [Science](/topic/habitat-conservation/science)
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[Climate Change](/topic/climate-change)





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  - [Climate Change Solutions](/topic/climate-change/climate-change-solutions)
  - [Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/climate-change/climate,-ecosystems,-and-fisheries)
  - [Regional Activities](/topic/climate-change/regional-activities)
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy)
- Regions  [Our Regions](/regions)





  - [Alaska](/region/alaska)
  - [New England/ Mid-Atlantic](/region/new-england-mid-atlantic)
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- Resources & Services  Rules & Regulations





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  - [Protected Resources Regs & Actions](/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources)
Permits





  - [Fishing & Seafood](/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood)
  - [Protected Resources](/permits-and-forms/protected-resources)
  - [International & Trade](/fishing-and-seafood-permits?fishing_permits%5B1000008636%5D=1000008636)
Funding & Financial Services





  - [Funding Opportunities](/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities)
  - [Financial Services](/funding-opportunities/financial-services)
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  - [Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants](/grant/saltonstall-kennedy-grant-program)
  - [Habitat Restoration Grants](/grant/coastal-and-marine-habitat-restoration-grants)
[Consultations](/topic/consultations)





  - [Habitat](/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations)
  - [Endangered Species](/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations)
  - [Tribal](/topic/consultations/tribal-engagements-and-consultations)
[Science & Data](/science-and-data)





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  - [Magnuson-Stevens Act](/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act)
  - [Endangered Species Act](/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act)
  - [Marine Mammal Protection Act](/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act)
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  - [Regional Fishery Management Councils](/topic/partners)
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Inflation Reduction Act





  - [Priority Investments](/national/climate/helping-america-prepare-and-respond-climate-change-under-inflation-reduction-act)
  - [Recent Updates](/tags/inflation-reduction-act)
  - [Habitat Restoration](/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act)
  - [North Atlantic Right Whales](/endangered-species-conservation/north-atlantic-right-whale-recovery-under-inflation-reduction-act)
  - [Pacific Salmon](/national/climate/recovering-pacific-salmon-under-inflation-reduction-act)
  - [Red Snapper](/climate/red-snapper-data-improvements-under-inflation-reduction-act)

Search NOAA FisheriesSearch- Find A Species

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Find A Species



[Find a Species](/find-species)  - [Dolphins & Porpoises](/dolphins-porpoises "Dolphins & Porpoises")
  - [Fish & Sharks](/fish-sharks "Fish & Sharks")
  - [Highly Migratory Species](/highly-migratory-species "Highly Migratory Species")
  - [Invertebrates](/invertebrates "Invertebrates")
  - [Sea Turtles](/sea-turtles "Sea Turtles")
  - [Seals & Sea Lions](/seals-sea-lions "Seals & Sea Lions")
  - [Whales](/whales "Whales")

Protected Species  - [All Threatened & Endangered Species](/species-directory/threatened-endangered "All Threatened & Endangered Species")
  - [Marine Mammals](/species-directory/marine-mammals "Marine Mammals")

Species By Region  - [Alaska](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001106&items_per_page=25 "Alaska")
  - [New England/Mid-Atlantic](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001111&items_per_page=25 "New England/Mid-Atlantic")
  - [Pacific Islands](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001116&items_per_page=25 "Pacific Islands")
  - [Southeast](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001121&items_per_page=25 "Southeast")
  - [West Coast](/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001126&items_per_page=25 "West Coast")

Helpful Resources  - [Marine Life Viewing Guidelines](/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines#guidelines-&-distances "Marine Life Viewing Guidelines")
  - [Marine Life in Distress](/topic/marine-life-distress "Marine Life in Distress")
  - [Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal](/report "Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal")
  - [Species in the Spotlight](/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight "Species in the Spotlight")
- Fishing & Seafood

Back



Fishing & Seafood



[Sustainable Fisheries](/topic/sustainable-fisheries)  - [Bycatch](/topic/bycatch "Bycatch")
  - [Catch Shares](/national/laws-and-policies/catch-shares "Catch Shares")
  - [Fishery Observers](/topic/fishery-observers "Fishery Observers")
  - [Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing](/topic/international-affairs/iuu-fishing "Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing")
  - [Magnuson-Stevens Act](/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act "Magnuson-Stevens Act")
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys "Research Surveys")
  - [Population Assessments](/topic/population-assessments "Population Assessments")

[Resources for Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing)  - [Commercial Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing "Commercial Fishing")
  - [Recreational Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/recreational-fishing "Recreational Fishing")
  - [Subsistence Fishing](/topic/resources-fishing/subsistence-fishing "Subsistence Fishing")
  - [Fishery Management Info](/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules "Fishery Management Info")
  - [Permits & Forms](/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood "Permits & Forms")
  - [Rules & Regulations by Region](/rules-and-regulations/fisheries "Rules & Regulations by Region")

[Sustainable Seafood](/topic/sustainable-seafood)  - [Seafood Profiles](/topic/sustainable-seafood/seafood-profiles "Seafood Profiles")
  - [Aquaculture](/topic/aquaculture "Aquaculture")
  - [Commerce & Trade](/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade "Commerce & Trade")
  - [Seafood Inspection](/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafood-inspection "Seafood Inspection")

Related Topics  - [Atlantic Highly Migratory Species](/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species "Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ")
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy "Offshore Wind Energy")
  - [Cooperative Research](/sustainable-fisheries/national-cooperative-research-program "Cooperative Research")
  - [Enforcement](/topic/enforcement "Enforcement")
  - [Financial Services](/funding-opportunities#financial-services "Financial Services")
  - [International Affairs](/topic/international-affairs "International Affairs")
  - [Science & Data](/science-and-data "Science & Data")
  - [Socioeconomics](/topic/socioeconomics "Socioeconomics")
- Protecting Marine Life

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Protecting Marine Life



[Endangered Species Conservation](/topic/endangered-species-conservation)  - [Listing Species Under ESA](/national/endangered-species-conservation/listing-species-under-endangered-species-act "Listing Species Under ESA")
  - [Critical Habitat](/national/endangered-species-conservation/critical-habitat "Critical Habitat")
  - [Consultations](/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations "Consultations")
  - [Species Recovery](/national/endangered-species-conservation/recovery-species-under-endangered-species-act "Species Recovery")
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys "Research Surveys")
  - [Species in the Spotlight](/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight "Species in the Spotlight")
  - [Endangered Species Act](/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act "Endangered Species Act")

[Marine Mammal Protection](/topic/marine-mammal-protection)  - [Health & Stranding Response](/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program "Health & Stranding Response")
  - [Marine Mammal Protection Act](/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act "Marine Mammal Protection Act")
  - [Research Surveys](/national/science-data/research-surveys "Research Surveys")
  - [Population Assessments](/topic/population-assessments/marine-mammals "Population Assessments")
  - [Take Reduction Plans](/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams "Take Reduction Plans")

[Marine Life in Distress](/topic/marine-life-distress)  - [Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal](/report "Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal")
  - [Bycatch](/topic/bycatch "Bycatch")
  - [Ocean Acoustics/Noise](/national/science-data/ocean-noise "Ocean Acoustics/Noise")
  - [Unusual Mortality Events](/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events "Unusual Mortality Events")
  - [Vessel Strikes](/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes "Vessel Strikes")

Related Topics  - [Marine Life Viewing Guidelines](/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines "Marine Life Viewing Guidelines")
  - [Enforcement](/topic/enforcement "Enforcement")
  - [Funding Opportunities](/funding-opportunities "Funding Opportunities")
  - [International Cooperation](/topic/international-affairs/international-cooperation-on-key-issues "International Cooperation")
  - [Permits & Authorizations](/permits-and-forms/protected-resources "Permits & Authorizations")
  - [Regulations & Actions](/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources "Regulations & Actions")
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy "Offshore Wind Energy")
  - [Science & Data](/science-and-data "Science & Data")
- Environment

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Environment



[Ecosystems](/topic/ecosystems)  - [U.S. Regional Ecosystems](/topic/ecosystems/u.s.-regional-ecosystems "U.S. Regional Ecosystems ")
  - [Management](/topic/ecosystems/ecosystem-based-fishery-management "Management")
  - [Science](/topic/ecosystems/science "Science")

[Habitat Conservation](/topic/habitat-conservation)  - [Priority Restoration Investments](/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act "Priority Restoration Investments")
  - [Habitat Restoration](/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-restore "Habitat Restoration")
  - [Habitat Protection](/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-protect "Habitat Protection")
  - [Types of Habitat](/topic/habitat-conservation/types-of-habitat "Types of Habitat")
  - [Habitat by Region](/topic/habitat-conservation/habitat-conservation-in-the-regions "Habitat by Region")
  - [Science](/topic/habitat-conservation/science "Science")
  - [Consultations](/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations "Consultations")

[Climate Change](/topic/climate-change)  - [Understanding the Impacts](/topic/climate-change/understanding-the-impacts "Understanding the Impacts")
  - [Climate Change Solutions](/topic/climate-change/climate-change-solutions "Climate Change Solutions")
  - [Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/climate-change/climate,-ecosystems,-and-fisheries "Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative")
  - [Regional Activities](/topic/climate-change/regional-activities "Regional Activities")
  - [Offshore Wind Energy](/topic/offshore-wind-energy "Offshore Wind Energy")
- Regions

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Regions



[Our Regions](/regions)  - [Alaska](/region/alaska "Alaska")
  - [New England/ Mid-Atlantic](/region/new-england-mid-atlantic "New England/ Mid-Atlantic")
  - [Pacific Islands](/region/pacific-islands "Pacific Islands")
  - [Southeast](/region/southeast "Southeast")
  - [West Coast](/region/west-coast "West Coast")

Contact Us  - [Regional Offices](/contact-directory/regional-offices "Regional Offices")
  - [Science Centers](/contact-directory/science-centers "Science Centers")
- Resources & Services

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Resources & Services



Rules & Regulations  - [Fisheries Rules & Regs](/rules-and-regulations/fisheries "Fisheries Rules & Regs")
  - [Fisheries Management Info](/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules "Fisheries Management Info")
  - [Protected Resources Regs & Actions](/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources "Protected Resources Regs & Actions")

Permits  - [Fishing & Seafood](/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood "Fishing & Seafood")
  - [Protected Resources](/permits-and-forms/protected-resources "Protected Resources")
  - [International & Trade](/fishing-and-seafood-permits?fishing_permits%5B1000008636%5D=1000008636 "International & Trade")

Funding & Financial Services  - [Funding Opportunities](/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities "Funding Opportunities")
  - [Financial Services](/funding-opportunities/financial-services "Financial Services")
  - [Prescott Grants](/grant/john-h-prescott-marine-mammal-rescue-assistance-grant-program "Prescott Grants")
  - [Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants](/grant/saltonstall-kennedy-grant-program "Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants")
  - [Habitat Restoration Grants](/grant/coastal-and-marine-habitat-restoration-grants "Habitat Restoration Grants")

[Consultations](/topic/consultations)  - [Habitat](/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations "Habitat")
  - [Endangered Species](/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations "Endangered Species")
  - [Tribal](/topic/consultations/tribal-engagements-and-consultations "Tribal")

[Science & Data](/science-and-data)  - [Research](/resources/research "Research")
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[Endangered Species Conservation](/topic/endangered-species-conservation)

# Foreign Species

Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries must list threatened and endangered marine species regardless of where they are found.

[National](/about-us)

## Table of Contents

- [Listing Under the ESA](#listing-under-the-esa)
- [Protection Under the ESA](#protection-under-the-esa)
- [More Information](#more-information)

Endangered southern right whale _(Eubalaena australis)_. They occur throughout the southern hemisphere from temperate to polar latitudes.

Under the [Endangered Species Act](/topic/laws-policies#endangered-species-act), NOAA Fisheries lists species as endangered or threatened regardless of where they are found. If a species occurs only in areas beyond the U.S. exclusive economic zone and territorial waters, we refer to it as a “foreign species” in our counts of ESA-listed species.

[View foreign species under NOAA Fisheries’ jurisdiction](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species-directory/threatened-endangered?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_species_details_status=All&field_region_vocab=1000008761&items_per_page=25).

## Listing Under the ESA

The [listing process](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/listing-species-under-endangered-species-act) for a foreign species is no different than the listing process for any other species under the ESA.

## Protection Under the ESA

The ESA primarily protects foreign species by restricting trade and may prohibit certain activities, including import, export, take, commercial activity, interstate commerce, and foreign commerce. By regulating these activities, the United States ensures that people under its jurisdiction do not contribute to the further decline of a listed species.

Although ESA prohibitions regarding listed foreign species only apply to people under U.S. jurisdiction, the ESA can benefit the conservation of these species by increasing global awareness of the threats they face, promoting research efforts to address conservation needs, or encouraging funding for in situ conservation in the species’ range countries.

### Can NOAA Fisheries designate critical habitat for foreign species?

No, we cannot designate [critical habitat](/laws-and-policies/glossary-endangered-species-act#designated-critical-habitat) in foreign waters. We can only designate critical habitat in waters under U.S. jurisdiction per [50 CFR 424.12(g)](https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=92ff787ed81d57818af0ce3c1792e986&mc=true&node=pt50.11.424&rgn=div5#se50.11.424_112).

## More Information

- [Endangered Species Conservation](/topic/endangered-species-conservation)
- [Endagered Species Act](/topic/laws-policies#endangered-species-act)

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