The
Protected Resources Division is responsible for the conservation,
management, and protection of marine mammals and endangered and
threatened species occurring in waters of the southeastern United
States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The
NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Region's Habitat
Conservation Division is responsible for protecting
the coastal habitats important for the production
of marine resources.
The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is also responsible
for certain marine animals, including manatees,
sea otters, walrus, and polar bears, and shares jurisdiction
with NOAA Fisheries Service for Sea turtles and
Gulf sturgeon.