Healthy fisheries are core to the conservation work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are working with partners to protect and enhance the health of fish and other aquatic animals in aquaculture and in the wild.

What We Do

Our Services

A Veterinary Medical Officer inspects coho salmon fry mortalities for diseases at Quilcene National Fish Hatchery
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Our national network of fish hatcheries, fish technology centers, fish health centers, and the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership program use applied science and technology to steer our conservation practices.

Fish Technology Centers assist national fish hatcheries by improving conservation techniques and methods. Scientists conduct nutrition studies and develop fish diets.

Practitioners at Fish Health Centers monitor the health of fish and amphibians in captivity and in the wild, and prescribe remedies as needed.

Researchers at the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership conduct intensive pivotal studies to meet the rigors of useful, new pharmaceuticals for fish.

The National Wild Fish Health Survey provides information on the presence or absence of aquatic animal pathogens in wild fish populations to tribes, state and federal fisheries managers, the aquaculture industry, conservation groups, researchers, and the public. 

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
a large alligator gar mouth from below
“Big” Work at Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery
Our work conserving American’s aquatic resources can often be demanding given the conservation challenges facing our natural environments
An aerial view of two rivers merging
Confluence - Connecting Partners and Conservation
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is proud to announce completion of the 2022 annual report.
A brownish fish with hints of pink and yellow, and is covered in small spots being held just above a tank of water.
Endangered Species Act
National Fish Hatchery System: By The Numbers (2022)
The National Fish Hatchery System plays an important role in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s mission to conserve, protect, and enhance, fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. National fish hatcheries use aquaculture to raise threatened, endangered, or at-risk species in a safe captive environment...
A large grey fish with armored scales float on a white background. Heavy black text reads "an enduring legacy of conservation. Fish and Aquatic Conservation 2021 annual report.
An Enduring Legacy of Conservation
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is proud to announce completion of the 2021Annual Report. The report includes links to regional stories as well as maps and other graphics that can be downloaded.
a big silver colored fish
Wildlife Management
Wild Fish Health Survey - Protecting Wild Fisheries
Just like in human populations, fish diseases can emerge and spread naturally, or they can be unintentionally spread from one population of fish to another. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fish health centers have launched a new tool to help in the fight to protect wild fisheries.
a freshwater mussel in the palm of a person's hand
Our People
“Musseling” Back from Near Extinction
The Southeast Region is recognizing a team of biologists for their work in recovering the Carolina heelsplitter.
View All News

Our Library

A pallid sturgeon swims along a rocky stream bed. The fish is long and slender, with whiskers and small ridges along its back and sides.
Aquatic Animal Drugs Keep Fish Healthy
A well-stocked fish medicine chest allows fisheries professionals to more effectively rear and manage various fish species. This in turn allows them to meet research and production goals, stock healthy fish, and help maintain a healthy and robust environment.
Story
Science and Technology
a big silver colored fish
Wild Fish Health Survey - Protecting Wild Fisheries
Just like in human populations, fish diseases can emerge and spread naturally, or they can be unintentionally spread from one population of fish to another. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fish health centers have launched a new tool to help in the fight to protect wild fisheries.
Story
Wildlife Management
Native Cutthroat trout swimming in Yellowstone National Park
Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADs) University
Welcome to INAD University! The information in this section is intended to help answer common questions that participants may have regarding the National INAD Program. The content is meant to help those individuals new to the program (i.e., freshman level) as well as those who have participated for...
Library Collection
7 Items
Two black-footed ferrets poke their heads out of black pipes lying in tall grass to examine the photographer
Threatened and Endangered Species
Here you can find resources from across the Fish and Wildlife Service about threatened or endangered species.
Library Collection
4 Items
Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture
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Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture

Need an easy-to-use resource to help you know what aquaculture drugs are approved by FDA and what they can be used for? Download the Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture (updated July 2020). As an added bonus, the Guide includes examples on how to calculate the...

PDF

USFWS

fall chinook salmon with black spots on its tail and upper half of its body
Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Update
These bulletins contain updates about aquaculture drugs currently in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process, AADAP programmatic updates, and aquaculture drug use guidance information. If you would like to sign up to receive the AADAP Update, please email julie_schroeter@fws....
Library Collection
5 Items

Projects and Research

Seven Brook Trout fish swimming in water with rocks underneath them
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National Wild Fish Health Survey Mapper
National Wild Fish Health Survey Mapper

The National Wild Fish Health Survey provides information on the presence or absence of aquatic animal pathogens in wild fish populations to tribes, state and federal fisheries managers, the aquaculture industry, conservation groups, researchers, and the public. This information helps to better manage both hatchery and wild fish populations. ...

National Wild Fish Health Survey Mapper
Closeup of head of steelhead in breeding colors, caught in net.
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National Wild Fish Health Survey Data
National Wild Fish Health Survey Data

To view the data outside of the web application, please see the National Wild Fish Health Survey pre-Laboratory Information System feature layer's (1996-2020) data table and see the National Wild Fish Health Survey Laboratory Information System feature layer's (2021-present) data table.

Survey Assumptions and Limitations on Data Use

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National Wild Fish Health Survey Data