Endangered Species Permits and Conservation Plans
![]() Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Photo: Scott R. Benson, NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center |
Overview
Individuals planning to conduct any activity resulting in the "take" of an endangered or threatened species, whether or not deliberate, must possess a permit to perform that activity.
Permit Types
There are two types of permits issued for take under the Endangered Species Act (ESA):
- Permits for scientific research or to enhance the propagation and survival of the species (ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A)), and
- Permits for taking species incidental to (not the purpose of) an otherwise lawful activity (ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B)). The latter must be accompanied by a Conservation Plan (CP), often referred to as a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
How to Apply
The instructions below are for permits for activities involving threatened or endangered marine and anadromous species.
Please note that the research and enhancement permit application instructions for threatened and endangered species (excluding Pacific salmonids) also apply to research and enhancement activities on marine mammals.
For terrestrial or freshwater species, or land-based sea turtle activities, please contact the appropriate regional office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Incidental Take of Sea Turtles
- MS Word Instructions [doc]
- PDF Instructions [pdf]
- Incidental Take of Non-Turtle Listed Species
- MS Word Instructions [doc]
- PDF Instructions [pdf]
- Scientific Research/Enhancement of Pacific Marine and Anadromous Fish
- Scientific Research / Enhancement of Sea Turtles in Water, Shortnose Sturgeon, Smalltooth Sawfish, White Abalone, and Marine Mammals
- Application Instructions and Appendices for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit (2010) [doc] (*separated below)
*Instructions for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit [doc]
*Appendices for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit [doc] - PDF versions of the instructions:
*Instructions and Appendices for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit (2010) [pdf] (*separated below)
*Instructions for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit [pdf]
*Appendices for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit [pdf]
- Application Instructions and Appendices for Scientific Research or Enhancement Permit (2010) [doc] (*separated below)
More Info
Updated: November 16, 2012