Monterey Bay Aquarium denounces Trump-Vance administration weakening the Endangered Species Act

Today, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) finalized new regulations imposed by the Trump-Vance administration that weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the nation’s primary law for safeguarding wildlife and biodiversity. These rules undo core elements of the ESA that are crucial for protecting vulnerable species and the habitats they need to thrive. 

This is the latest action by the administration to clear a path to fast-track development without safeguards for at-risk species. The Aquarium maintains that prioritizing economic gains without protecting ecosystem health is a false choice and that solutions can be found for both without resorting to these rules. 

The changes implemented today by the USFWS decrease habitat protections and limit automatic protections for plants and animals newly listed as “threatened” under the ESA. 

Earlier this month, another major change rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the ESA, dangerously narrowing the scope of habitat protection for endangered wildlife. Together, these changes sacrifice science-based management of species and resources held in the public trust to favor industrial development, and make it harder for the agencies tasked with protecting and ensuring a future for vulnerable American wildlife to do their job.

“For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has demonstrated that species can recover when we protect habitats and follow the science. These changes weaken protections that have helped save some of America's most iconic wildlife from extinction,” said Dr. Jenny Gray,  Monterey Bay Aquarium CEO. “Monterey Bay Aquarium supports a strong ESA that is grounded in science and guided by the expertise of federal agencies. The Aquarium continues to work with decision-makers and ocean champions to benefit marine ecosystems. Caring for ocean life helps us all.” 

The ESA has a proven track record. Species such as the Southern sea otter have been saved from extinction and put on the path to recovery. An ESA Recovery Plan for the California Condor is helping the iconic birds soar to milestones on a return to the wild. The Western snowy plover and other species still face growing and emerging threats that cause habitat loss due to indirect actions like urban development. Today, all this hard-won progress is at risk.

“This attack on the ESA threatens California’s treasured marine life and special places, and the communities and coastal economies that rely on a healthy coast and ocean,” said Aquarium Chief Conservation and Science Officer Margaret Spring. “These changes are contrary to the congressional intent of the ESA to protect and recover species by protecting their habitat and maintaining healthy ecosystems. ”

The Aquarium expects the administration to continue to undermine the ESA this year by finalizing more proposed changes. Support for the ESA, however, remains high with the U.S. public. Hundreds of thousands of people opposed the changes when proposed last year. Monterey Bay Aquarium joined 15 U.S.-based partner aquariums to oppose the erosion of habitat protection, and submitted official comments opposing additional proposed rollbacks to the Federal Register. 

About Monterey Bay Aquarium

With a mission to inspire conservation of the ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most admired aquarium in the United States, a leader in science education, and a voice for ocean conservation through comprehensive programs in marine science and public policy. Everything we do works in concert to protect the future of our blue planet. More information at MontereyBayAquarium.org.