Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows NOAA Fisheries Service to issue permits for direct take (10(a)(1)(A)) and “incidental take (10(a)(1)(B)).” Anyone planning to conduct any activity that may "take" a threatened or endangered species must obtain approval to perform that activity. The term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.

A Section 10 direct take permit allows the holder to take a listed species for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of listed species. The Northwest Region issues direct take/Section 10 permits on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead for scientific research and enhancement projects.

A Section 10/incidental take permit allows the holder to take a listed species when the action involved is incidental to, and not the purpose of, an otherwise lawful activity. The Northwest Region issues incidental take/Section 10 permits on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead for scientific research, habitat conservation plans, artificial propagation programs, and harvest management programs.