Wildlife is an important part of our nation’s ecosystem. Wildlife is valuable economically, socially and aesthetically. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission is “working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people”. In order to carry out our mission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works under that authority of a number of laws that protect wildlife.

The two species specific laws that drive the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other than the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, are the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They are designed to protect wildlife in order to prevent the need for management by other legislation, such as the Endangered Species Act, which is designed to restore wildlife populations undergoing a decline. These laws are followed under several programs managed by the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service. To find out more about the way the U.S. Fish and Wildlife manages wildlife visit:

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

Sikes Act

Marine Mammals