Species of Concern are those species about which NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has some concerns regarding status and threats, but for which insufficient information is available to indicate a need to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). "Species of concern" status does not carry any procedural or substantive protections under the ESA.  There are currently 40 Species of Concern. The Species of Concern Program: 1) Identifies species potentially at risk; 2) Identifies data deficiencies and uncertainties in species' status and threats; 3) Increases public awareness about those species; 4) Stimulates cooperative research efforts to obtain the information necessary to evaluate species status and threats; and, 5) Fosters voluntary efforts to conserve the species before listing becomes warranted. 

Results/Conclusions

Funding for projects is available through our Proactive Species Conservation Grant Program.  The poster highlights potential partnership opportunities and provide example outreach materials.