U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service The Program The National Fish System

Innovation and continual adaptation have restoring native populations. Careful pioneered fish culture techniques for a genetic screening and planning on the part variety of recreationally valuable and of the biologists at the Hatchery System imperiled species such as striped bass, and in Fish Technology Centers have been lake trout, salmon, pallid sturgeon, critical to preserving genetic diversity. paddlefish, alligator gar, and numerous other aquatic species. Many of these Restoration of depleted populations of The National Fish innovations are shared with the private native game fish, through stocking by the sector. Hatchery facilities also provide Hatchery System, provides and enhances educational programs in aquatic resource recreational opportunities for the Hatchery System works conservation for many local communities. Nation’s 58 million anglers.

Restoring depleted populations and their with partners through habitat involves a number of different tasks, the most important of which is forging partnerships that allow restoration its 69 operational programs to operate efficiently and effectively. This work is implemented under the guidance of multi-State National Fish management, restoration and Endangered Species Recovery plans. Stocking fish into , seven Fish restored streams is only a portion of the work that goes into developing a sound hatchery program. The Hatchery System Technology Centers, works with partners to provide technical assistance to ensure that habitat USFWS Photo restoration, genetic considerations, fish nine Fish Health health issues and other aspects of restoration program are well-coordinated. Hatcheries also perform extensive Centers and one mitigation work, helping insure that viable and healthy fisheries are maintained in water affected by Federal dam Historic National Fish construction.

The program ensures that hatchery fish Hatchery and remains are able to compete in the wild, and Fish Health Center and National Fish Hatchery biologists develop and implement plans for USFWS Photo the national leader in fish health management for all propagation programs. The combination of prompt disease diagnosis and recommendations for many aspects of fish corrective actions reduces mortality during rearing, increases survival after release and helps protect wild fish from inadvertent culture and exposure to disease. The fish health program is also involved with partners in efforts to protect the nation’s fishery management, especially resources from the introduction of fish diseases from foreign sources.

for recreationally Fish Technology Centers develop and provide new tools for use by the Service and valuable and imperiled partners in managing aquatic resources. In USFWS Photo addition, scientists at Fish Technology centers and National Fish Hatcheries species. develop genetic management plans to ensure that refugia populations and are genetically appropriate for