Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program
Stored: Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program |
| Top Organization | Department of the Interior |
| Creation Legislation | An Act to Create a U.S. Fish Commission of 1871 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program conserves, protects, and enhances aquatic species and their habitats across the United States. It aims to tackle priority conservation challenges through science-based restoration and partnerships. |
| Program Start | 1871 |
| Initial Funding | $15,000 |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) is a Department of the Interior initiative administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that unites efforts across the United States to conserve aquatic ecosystems, managing a network of 70 national fish hatcheries, nine fish health centers, seven fish technology centers, and 65 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs) to stock over 126 million fish annually and reconnect 64,000+ miles of habitat as of 2025.
Originating in 1871 as the U.S. Fish Commission, it has restored species like pallid sturgeon and Chinook salmon, supported tribal fisheries with 20 million fish for 57 tribes in 2023, and invested $38 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2024 for fish passage, advancing conservation through cutting-edge science and over 2,000 partnerships nationwide.
Goals
- Conserve and restore aquatic species and habitats using advanced science.[1]
- Enhance recreational fisheries and tribal trust resources nationwide.
- Prevent aquatic invasive species spread and mitigate federal project impacts.
Organization
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program was sponsored by its own program office within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.[2] Funding came from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2023 at over $200 million (including BIL), supporting 1,000+ staff across hatcheries, health centers, technology centers, and FWCOs, managing sub-programs like the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS) and National Fish Passage Program (NFPP), collaborating with states, 57 tribes, and over 2,000 partners.
The leader at the Department of the Interior level was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently Martha Williams (as of February 20, 2025), with FAC led by Assistant Director David Hoskins.
History
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program was established by the An Act to Create a U.S. Fish Commission of 1871, signed into law on February 9, 1871, by President Ulysses S. Grant, initially to address fishery declines.[3] Evolving from the Fish Commission, it expanded with the NFHS (1872), NFPP (1999), and BIL funding in 2022 ($200 million over five years), stocking over 1 billion fish by 2025, with milestones like 2023’s 126 million fish release and 2024’s Enloe Dam removal, adapting to climate and invasive species challenges.
Funding
Initial funding in 1871 was $15,000 from Congressional appropriations for the Fish Commission.[4] Funding began in 1871 and continues, with FY 2023 exceeding $200 million (including $46.5 million NFHS and $38 million BIL), supporting over 126 million fish stocked and 2,200+ miles of habitat reopened, with no end date as appropriations and excise taxes sustain efforts like 2025’s $70.4 million BIL projects.
Implementation
The program was implemented through hatcheries raising fish, health centers monitoring diseases, technology centers advancing research (e.g., eDNA), and FWCOs providing technical assistance, reconnecting habitats via NFPP.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, partnering with over 2,000 entities, with 2025 efforts enhancing post-Helene recovery and bison conservation agreements with Canada and Mexico.
Related
- National Fish Hatchery System
- National Fish Passage Program
- Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
External links
- https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation
- https://www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-hatchery-system - NFHS Page
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Social media
References
- ↑ "Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program Overview," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Fish and Aquatic Conservation About Us," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation/about-us, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "FAC History," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation/about-us, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "National Fish Hatchery System," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Fish_Hatchery_System, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "FAC By the Numbers 2023," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-01/national-fish-hatchery-system-numbers-2023, accessed February 19, 2025.