Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices
Working with partners, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs) restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources for the benefit of the American public, helping ensure that these resources stay among the richest and most diverse in the world.
FWCOs ensure the continuing ecological, recreational, subsistence, and commercial health of America’s fisheries resources. Working across geographic and political borders, FWCO biologists help craft partnerships and solutions to conserve, restore, and enhance our natural resources. The FWCO program has 65 field offices across 32 States, with over 300 biologists and other experts committed to aquatic resource conservation. With its partners, the program has facilitated recovery efforts that have reversed declines in numerous important aquatic species. For example, the program is proud to have played critical roles in the recovery of striped bass and the Gila trout.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the planning, restoration, and management of fisheries and their habitats
- Apply scientific data to focus conservation activities on high-priority species and watersheds
- Restore aquatic habitats (instream and wetland) and re-open fish passage, including activities under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and National Fish Passage Program
- Provide critical information to partners on the condition of habitat and populations of fish and other aquatic species
- Work collaboratively with partners to improve status and condition of interjurisdictional fisheries
- Fulfill Federal trust responsibilities to Native American Tribes by working with them to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources on Tribal lands
- Supervise subsistence use by rural Alaskans on federal lands
Self-sustaining population of the endangered Okaloosa darter on
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
In 2007, the Panama City Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office partnered with Eglin Air Force Base (FL) to recover the federally endangered Okaloosa darter. The Okaloosa darter is a small (2 inch long) fish that inhabits the clear, shallow margins of fast moving streams, around plants, roots, and woody debris. Over 95% of the species range is within the boundaries of Eglin AFB. The construction of a golf course damaged much of the Okaloosa darter’s ideal habitat.
To date, four fish passage barriers have been removed from Mill Creek and 2,500 feet of stream channel have been restored. Population assessments completed by Panama City Fish and Wildlife Biologists in 2008 show that Mill Creek now fosters a self-sustaining population of Okaloosa darter.
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