Program Overview
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has two programs designed to conserve potentially at-risk species that are not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): the Candidate Species Program and the Species of Concern Program. NMFS defines a Candidate Species as: 1) species for which NMFS has initiated a status review, but that are not the subject of a listing petition, and 2) species for which a "may be warranted" finding on a listing petition has been made, but for which a proposed listing rule has not been published yet. The specific goals and objectives of the Species of Concern Program are listed below. The Species of Concern Program is designed to increase our knowledge of these species and, where possible, provide some protections for declining species before they need protection under the ESA. Currently the Southeast Region recognizes 15 Species of Concern. It is important to note that a species can be listed as both a Candidate Species and a Species of Concern concurrently.
April 15, 2004, notice establishing the Species of Concern list (69 FR 19975).
Goals and Objectives:
- Identify species that are potentially at risk;
- Increase public awareness about those species;
- Identify data deficiencies and uncertainties in species status and threats;
- Stimulate cooperative research efforts to obtain the information necessary to evaluate species status and threats; and
- Foster voluntary efforts to provide stewardship for the species before an ESA listing as threatened or endangered becomes warranted.
Factors for Identifying SOC:
Demographic and Diversity Vulnerability
- Abundance and Productivity: magnitude of decline and natural rarity;
- Distribution: population connectivity, limited geographic range, and endemism;
- Life History Characteristics: vulnerable life history strategies, resilience to environmental variability, or the loss of unique life history traits.
Threats
- Habitat Degradation / Habitat Loss
- Other Natural or Man-made factors for Decline
NOAA Fisheries Funding Opportunities
Through the Proactive Species Conservation Grant Program, NMFS provides Federal assistance in the forms of grants or cooperative agreements to support conservation efforts for listed Species of Concern. To learn more about this program, including eligibility, how to apply, and important deadlines for a Proactive Species Conservation Grant, please click here.
Southeast Proactive Species Conservation Grants Funded 2011
Agency: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Project Title: Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae) restoration for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Florida, Georgia, Alabama
Federal Funding: $93,509
For a complete list of Federally funded Proactive Species Conservation Grants, please click here.
Species Conservation Grant Program is separate from funding for the Internal Grant Program which is only open to NOAA biologists. Through the Internal Grant Program, NOAA biologists / principal investigators implement research for conservation measures to improve the status of Species of Concern. These projects can include collaborations with non-governmental and academic institutions.
SERO Species of Concern Internal Grants Funded 2011
Project title: A genetic investigation of Menidia conchorum: is it a distinct species or an ecotype of M. pennisulae?
Funding: $35,000
Project title: Age validation and maximum age of sand tiger shark, Carcharias taurus, determined by bomb radiocarbon analysis.
Funding: $30,000
Project title: Age validation of warsaw grouper and speckled hind using bomb radiocarbon dating.
Funding:
$35,000
Project title: Assessment of post-release mortality in sand tiger shark, Carcharias taurus, landed through Delaware's shore based recreational fishery.
Funding: $33,955
For a completed list of Federally funded Internal Grants, please click here.
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