Species of Concern Proactive Conservation Program

A “Species of Concern” (SOC) is a species or vertebrate population for which there is concern or great uncertainty about its status. Species of Concern are not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are not protected by the ESA. As resources permit, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts a review of the status of each Species of Concern to determine if it warrants listing as an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. NMFS believes it is important to highlight species that could benefit from proactive conservation efforts.

Speckled Hind

 

Program Goals and Objectives

• To increase public awareness about these species
• To identify those species potentially at risk and in need of protective measures before listing under the ESA becomes necessary
• To identify data deficiencies and uncertainties associated with the status of the species
• To work cooperatively with regional co-managers and interest groups to obtain the information necessary to evaluate species status and threats
• To identify conservation opportunities
• To work proactively with Federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, and the public to conserve the species

 

Recent Species of Concern Petitioned for Listing Under the ESA

Resent Documents and Notices Related to Potential SOC Listings

 

Criteria for Identifying Species of Concern

What characteristics define an SOC?

 

Species Fact Sheets

Each sheet provides a detailed description of life history characteristics, factors for listing, and regional maps for each SOC species.

• Estuaries.gov Fact Sheets

 

Grant Programs and Opportunities

Various funding opportunities available to federal and nonfederal entities with management authority over an SOC

 

Species of Concern Recent Publications and Status Reviews

Get the latest information about status reviews, upcoming educational events, and more.

 

Education and Outreach

Raising awareness for Species of Concern in the Southeast.

Supplementary Documents

• Federal Register Notices
  
  
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Lists
  
  
• Adding and Removing Species from the SOC List
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions on Species of Concern and Candidate Species

© Bryan Winterhoff '07

 

For additional information on this subject contact the Southeast Regional Office at (727) 824-5312