Welcome to NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service). NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to the stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems.

As a steward, NOAA Fisheries Service conserves, protects, and manages living marine resources in a way that ensures their continuation as functioning components of marine ecosystems, affords economic opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for the American public.

Hot Issues

		NOAA Scientists Catch Rare Giant Squid Scientists from NOAA’s Fisheries Service have captured a giant squid while conducting research off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico. This is only the second known giant squid obtained from the Gulf of Mexico – the first was collected in 1954 off the Mississippi Delta where it was found floating dead at the surface. > read more
		Ocean Policy Task Force Issues Interim Report This report proposes a comprehensive national approach to uphold our stewardship responsibilities and ensure accountability for actions that affect the oceans.  Comments will be accepted for 30 days.  A meeting on September 24, 2009, in Providence, RI, will offer audio and Web cast. > read more
		NOAA Strengthens 2008 Columbia River Salmon Protection Strategy Backed by sound science and strong stakeholder support, NOAA Fisheries has developed a strengthened plan to protect salmon and steelhead on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. > read more
		Fish Affected by Changes in Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem Fish in U.S. waters from Cape Hatteras to the Canadian border have moved away from their traditional habitats because of fundamental changes in the regional ecosystem. Over the past 40 years, the ecosystem has experienced extensive fishing by domestic and foreign fleets, changes in water temperatures due to climate change, and pressures from increasing human populations. > read more
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