Celebrating 150 years!
Our conservation roots run deep. In 1871, people recognized that America’s fisheries were in trouble and called on congress to act. The United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries was formed on February 9, 1871. Their charge was clear - to determine if America’s fisheries were declining, and if so, to figure out how to protect them.
Fast forward 150 years. Our name may have changed and the species we work with - it’s not just fish any longer - but one thing remains the foundation of all we do. We work to keep fish and other aquatic species safe, healthy, and productive for you, the American people. Read more »
Through the years, advances in technology have dramatically impacted the conservation landscape. In the fisheries field, this rapid evolution of new research helps us to better understand and protect aquatic resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program is advancing cutting-edge technologies across the country that will shape the future of aquatic conservation for years to come.
July 2021 | By: Amanda Smith, USFWS Columbia Pacific Northwest
Icicle Creek is an iconic stream in central Washington State that runs through the heart of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest into the Wenatchee River, providing life-giving resources to the surrounding communities. From supporting domestic water supply and agricultural irrigation to providing habitat for wildlife and recreation for people, Icicle Creek is in high demand. This hardworking waterway also provides water for Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, ensuring the creation of millions of salmon annually.
From land to waterways, we at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work alongside partners to combat self-sustaining populations of invasive species, such as sea lamprey. Our invasive species efforts are a critical component in native species conservation and our research is essential in our conservation outcomes.
Fisheries biologists are using environmental DNA, known as eDNA, to determine the presence of invasive, threatened and endangered species to inform management decisions. All it takes is a small sample of water.
Environmental DNA sampling is a new technology that could give us the ability to tell what species are present in a river or lake just by sampling the water. By sampling waters that could potentially be invaded by these species, the detection of their DNA can indicate the potential presence of the fish itself.
When staff at Coleman National Fish Hatchery noticed their fish becoming disoriented, in early January 2020, it triggered a far ranging investigation that had ramifications far beyond the hatchery.
Getting fish past dams that power electrical grids, under highways or around irrigation systems is no easy task. It requires a blend of biology, engineering and hydrology to build a passage that fish will swim through.
Do you have a passion for science, conservation, outreach, or research? A career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program just might be for you. Learn more »
Preserving the History of Conservation
Fish of the Week! Join us every Monday for this new podcast
Today there are 18 national fish hatcheries in operation that are more than a century old. Here are a few of our hundred-year-old hatcheries that are still paving the way for conservation today! Learn more »
