Who “lists” species as threatened or endangered?
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists terrestrial and freshwater species, the National Marine Fisheries Service lists marine and anadromous (ex. salmon) species. The service determines whether to add a species to the federal list of threatened or endangered species through a strict listing program. Once listed the species is given the full range of protection granted under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, including prohibitions on killing, harming the species and their habitat.
