Fish and Aquatic Conservation
Updated May 28, 2026
Healthy fisheries and waters are the foundation of America’s outdoor traditions and give us the freedom to fish, boat, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. America’s freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams are home to some of the most abundant and diverse communities of fish, invertebrates, and plants in the world. Many of these species, such as salmon, trout, Pacific lamprey, river herring, American shad, and striped bass are important cultural, economic, and recreational resources.
The National Fish Hatchery System
The National Fish Hatchery System is a global leader in conservation aquaculture. Across the United States, 71 national fish hatcheries raise and stock millions of fish and aquatic wildlife each year.
Conservation Returns on Investment
National Fish Passage Program
For too long, broken dams and outdated culverts have blocked fish, wrecked habitats, and put communities at risk from flooding and infrastructure failure. The National Fish Passage Program is removing barriers, reconnecting rivers, and making America’s waterways work for everyone.
Since 1999, the National Fish Passage Program has worked with more than 2,000 local communities, tribes, and private landowners across the country to remove or bypass more than 3,500 barriers to fish passage and reopened more than 64,000 miles of once inaccessible upstream habitat for fish and wildlife.
Assessment and Monitoring Program
The foundation of data-driven conservation and fisheries management. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices operate hundreds of fish and habitat monitoring programs throughout the year in watersheds across the country. The data collected by these programs lets us know what fish are thriving and which need protection. We share this data with states, tribes, and partners to inform decisions about what conservation efforts are working and where more efforts are needed.
Aquatic Invasive Species Program
When aquatic invaders threaten our waters, we don’t hesitate, we act. Our programs help states and tribes detect invasive species early and act quickly, reducing the risk of long-term damage to fisheries, infrastructure, and local economies.
Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program
Since 1999 this specialized research team has contributed to the majority of new fish medications approved in America. They have conducted 13,000 studies to ensure medications are safe to aquatic animals, treated 1.5 billion aquatic animals, and saved 50 million fish each year for restoration, recovery, recreation, or the dinner table. This work directly protects and benefits state hatcheries and America’s $4 billion private aquaculture industry.
