What We Do

America’s fisheries are among the world’s richest in abundance and diversity. They provide scientific, aesthetic, recreational, commercial, subsistence, cultural, social, and economic benefits. Fish health is a critical component of healthy fisheries and core to the conservation mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Our Programs

Gershom Bigham, Jose Vazquez, and Hayley Potter Muir of the hatchery evaluation and monitoring program, Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, collect data from spring Chinook salmon during spawning at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.

National Investigational New Animal Drug Sponsorship Program 

The Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership program sponsors a variety of medications under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Investigational New Animal Drug program. The program is available to all fish culturists, fish biologists, and fishery managers within the United States and U.S. territories and allows participating facilities to have legal access to a broad variety of medications that are still in the approval process.

New Animal Drug Approval Assistance Program

We assist sponsors in navigating the FDA’s New Animal Drug Approval process where needed. This involves helping a new sponsor start the approval process and helping current sponsors find ways to keep moving forward in the approval process.

Outreach Program

Our researchers, physiologists, nutritionists, and veterinary scientists provide fisheries professionals with up-to-date information about existing and pending drug approvals, as well as extensive drug use guidance information.

Diagnostic and Testing Services

Fish Health Centers across the United States can respond rapidly with diagnostic testing to identify and assess the risks associated with exotic pathogens when they are inadvertently introduced into the U.S., or new areas or species.

Nationwide Fish Health Monitoring

Monitoring activities are an important element in any comprehensive aquatic animal health effort. The frequent monitoring of pathogens, environmental conditions, nutrition, and physiological parameters are essential to detect and solve problems before significant mortality occurs. Monitoring will promote and help evaluate good fish culture and fishery management practices. 

150 Years. National Fish Hatchery System.” in front of glossy orange eggs against a white background.
The National Fish Hatchery System works to support healthy, self-sustaining populations of fish and other aquatic species across the country. Every year we raise and stock over 100 million fish to support the recovery and restoration of imperiled species, recreational fishing, and Tribal...
Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.

Our Services

Evan Lewis, an intern with American Conservation Experience at the time of the photo, collects eDNA samples in the Okanogan River.

Investigational New Animal Drugs

Investigational New Animal Drugs are drugs that are in the approval pipeline but are not yet approved by FDA for use in the United States. They are strictly controlled by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Service’s Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership.

Our Projects and Research

Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Applied Research Program

Our applied research program conducts studies that evaluate the safety and efficacy of experimental medications. Results of these analyses are used to support U. S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug.

Fish Health Centers and Fish Technology Centers

Fish Health Centers develop diagnostic procedures and vaccines to prevent disease and apply new research methods and techniques that improve fish health. They also provide technical assistance to federal, state, and tribal partners as well as to the private aquaculture industry.

Fish Technology Centers play a leading role in guiding the science and technology that is foundational to species and habitat conservation in the United States. They assist with the recovery of endangered, threatened, and declining populations of fish and other aquatic species, prevent the spread of 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
, and improve fish culture technology and culture protocols.

Seven Brook Trout fish swimming in water with rocks underneath them
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...

Closeup of head of steelhead in breeding colors, caught in net.
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...