Southwest Fisheries Species

The National Fish Hatcheries in the Southwest Region serve as both short-term refuges for species in crisis and as long-term propagation and management facilities for these species to support the ultimate recovery of the organisms in the wild. These production programs are categorized as Recovery, and deal with both Threatened and Endangered species. Some of the captive populations are the only known breeding individuals of their species.

Other programs operating within the Regional system of hatcheries are committed to production of species that have not yet become so imperiled that they are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Candidate species require production support to aid in recovery of the species to self-sustaining population levels. Restoration species are those that have threats that are not as immediate or great but the populations still require management assistance to sustain themselves.

In addition to recovery and restoration programs some species are held for research as short term captives and sportfish species are held in production to support recreational stocking programs.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.