Managing, conserving and rebuilding populations of marine mammals and endangered and threatened marine species in rivers, bay and estuaries, and in marine waters, within 200 miles of shore, from North Carolina to Maine.

The Northeast Region Protected Resources Division is comprised of three programs: the Marine Mammal Program, Section 7/Sea Turtle Program, and the Salmon, Sturgeon, and Species of Concern Program. The Marine Mammal Program is dedicated to protecting whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals from harm caused by human activities. The program carries out the mandates of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972: to conserve healthy populations and to rebuild (or "recover") populations that are strategic. The Section 7 Program assists Federal agencies in fulfilling their obligations under Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which requires them to consult with NOAA Fisheries Service to ensure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. The Sea Turtle Program is focused on managing, conserving, and rebuilding populations of threatened and endangered sea turtles in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic waters. The Salmon, Sturgeon and Species of Concern Program is dedicated to the protection and recovery of threatened or endangered marine and anadromous species such as salmon, sturgeon, and various species of concern. The Protected Resources Division works with state agencies, other federal agencies, industry, environmental groups, and other organizations and individuals to prevent the extinction of marine species as well as to protect them from any harm caused by human activities. Click here for more