National Marine Fisheries Service - Pacific Islands Regional Office

NOAA/NMFS/Pacific Islands Regional Office

To report monk seal sightings:

To report stranded / entangled marine mammals:

1-888-256-9840

To report stranded / entangled
sea turtles:

983-5730 (Oahu)

	Species of Concern

	Photos (left to right): Humphead wrasse. John Naughton; Inarticulate brachiopod. Cory Pittman; Bumphead parrotfish. John E. Randall; Hawaiian reef coral. J.E.Maragos

	A “Species of Concern” (SOC) is a species or vertebrate population for which there is concern or great uncertainty about its status. SOC are not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are not protected by the ESA. As resources permit, NOAA Fisheries conducts a review of the status of each SOC to determine if it warrants listing as an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. NOAA Fisheries believes it is important to highlight species for which listing may be warranted so that Federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, and the private sector are aware of which species could benefit from proactive conservation efforts.

	"Species of Concern" in the Pacific Islands Region FACT SHEETS
	What is a "Species of Concern"? (Aug 2006, pdf 647kB)
	Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) - Highlights (May 2007, pdf 109kB) - Detailed (May 2007, pdf 202kB)
	Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) - Highlights (May 2007, pdf 113kB) - Detailed (May 2007, pdf 176kB)
	Hawaiian reef coral (Montipora dilatata) - Highlights (Apr 2007, pdf 207kB) - Detailed (Apr 2007, pdf 283kB)
	Inarticulate brachiopod (Lingula reevii) - Highlights (Mar 2007, pdf 241kB) - Detailed (Mar 2007, pdf 255kB)
	Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) Focus
	Establishment of an initial program that will benefit these species either by supporting research, proactive conservation, or through outreach. Consideration of other species for the SOC Program that are in need of help or attention once initial program is fully established.
	Recent SOC Events
	On August 21-22, 2006, in Honolulu, Hawaii, NOAA Fisheries, Protected Resources Division (PRD), hosted the first Pacific Islands Region (PIR) SOC Workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to gather information and ideas to be used in the development of the regional SOC Program. A select group of scientists knowledgeable about the four species of concern (Humphead wrasse, Bumphead parrotfish, Hawaiian reef coral and Inarticulate brachiopod) were invited to share share their knowledge and expertise about these species' habitat, threats, as well as research and conservation ideas. The current species status and threats were evaluated in order to develop initial conservation plans that PRD will use to guide funding, research and conservation actions in the coming years.
	NOAA Fisheries PIR SOC Workshop 2006: Excecutive Summary (Nov 2007, pdf 264kB) NOAA Fisheries PIR SOC Workshop 2006: Workshop Proceedings (Nov 2007, pdf 404kB) 2007 SOC Annual Report (Jan 2008. pdf 1.25 MB)
	Contact Information
	Krista Graham PRD Resource Management Coordinator SOC Project Leader 808-944-2238 Krista.Graham@noaa.gov

	More Information
	NOAA Fisheries - Office of Protected Resources - Species of Concern