United States Department of the Interior

Aquaculture Programs and Services

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has responsibilities for restoring depleted fish populations, preserving endangered species, mitigating the impacts of Federal water developments on fish populations, and providing scientific leadership in fishery resource management . A nationwide system of fish hatcheries, fisheries assistance offices, fish health centers, fish technology centers, fisheries research centers, and a training facility are operated to carry out these responsibilities. The Service's fisheries activities involve research, management, and culture of freshwater, anadramous, estuarine, and exotic fishes of recreational, ecological, and commercial importance. The Service has established an aquaculture mission consisting of two broad functions: 1) encourage the development of private aquaculture in a manner that is compatible with responsible natural resource stewardship; and 2) make Service expertise, knowledge, and technical/scientific capabilities in fish culture and related disciplines available to the private aquaculture community.

The U.S. Geological Survey collects a large amount of information related to availability and quality of ground-water and surface-water supplies as part of its mission to inventory the Nation's resources. Information such as pollutant levels, aquifer locations, lake levels, stream flows, and other data useful to aquaculture is available from the USGS in a variety of forms including maps, reports, and computer output.

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