About Us
Bozeman Fish Health Center provides comprehensive aquatic animal health testing, analysis and certification services to primarily to eight western states including: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
- Provides Diagnostic Support for observed health problems in cultured and free-ranging populations (such as fish kills or sick, dying fish) oil spill response or other potential contaminant incidents). Identify, diagnose, and suggest treatments options for various health problems to reduce losses.
- Provide Aquatic Animal Health Inspection Services to Federal, State, Tribal, and non-governmental entities to facilitate annual health certifications necessary for aquatic-animal movements, management decisions, and pathogen monitoring.
- Coordinate the National Fish Health Survey in the region and conduct comprehensive health assessments on free-ranging populations to better understand pathogen distribution, persistence, and movement among ecosystems.
- Collaborate on Research and Special Projects affecting aquatic-animal health, conservation, restoration, and recreation.
- Provides Emergency response for Aquatic Animal Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) following oil spills, contaminant releases or other aquatic resource incidents.
Our Mission
The Bozeman Fish Health Center efforts are guided by the FWS-Aquatic Animal Health Mission Statement “Working in partnership, we provide leadership in science, technology, and education for conservation of aquatic ecosystems emphasizing fisheries, aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , genetics, and aquatic animal health for the benefit of the public”.
Our History
The Bozeman Fish Health Center was originally located in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and designated as the Fish Disease Control Center. In 1996, The Fish Disease Control Center was relocated to Bozeman, MT and re-named the Bozeman Fish Health Center.
(1974─1995) Fish Disease Control Center was established in Fort Morgan, Colorado, in 1974 as part of a national system of hatchery biology laboratories to assist National Fish Hatcheries in diagnosis and control of infectious fish diseases. Biologists also assisted with environmental and production problems at federal hatcheries and conducted studies on wild fish.
(1996─Present) Bozeman Fish Health Center In 1996, the Fish Disease Control Center relocated/moved to Bozeman, Montana and re-named the Bozeman Fish Health Center. The move to Bozeman provided greater opportunities for cooperative partnerships, research, and scientific advancement.