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Service Mourns Loss of Director Sam Hamilton
“Visionary” Leader a Career 30-year Service Employee
February 21, 2010
The conservation world lost one of its most dynamic leaders Saturday, as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam D. Hamilton died suddenly while skiing in Colorado following a Service regional leadership meeting which ended Friday. Hamilton, 54, was a career Fish and Wildlife Service employee whose vision and commitment to wildlife conservation was unmatched. He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues in the Service and across the conservation community. The thoughts and prayers of Fish and Wildlife Service employees go out to Sam’s family.

Secretary Salazar's statement

Information about Director Hamilton

Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge sign. Credit: Steve Hillebrand / USFWS

National Wildlife Refuge System: Conserving Our Lands and Resources
Service Announces Firearms Rule Change for Possession in National Wildlife Refuges
February 18, 2010
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that effective February 22, 2010, the rules governing possession of firearms on National Wildlife Refuges will change as a result of legislation enacted by Congress. After this date, the law allows an individual to lawfully possess a firearm within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with federal, state and local firearms laws.

News Release

Hunting in Refuges

Service to Auction Wildlife Products
February 19, 2010
An online auction beginning on February 22, 2010 will help the Service dispose of excess wildlife products that have been forfeited or abandoned to the agency. This sale will reduce storage costs and provide funds to support conservation education and other activities benefitting wildlife.

News Release

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Atlantic salmon eggs. Credit: Peter Steenstra

Climate Change
Already On The Brink, Atlantic Salmon Face a Changing Climate
February 18, 2010
Atlantic salmon are among the most imperiled species in the Northeast Region. While at one time hundreds of thousands of salmon made their epic migration from the oceans of Greenland to their natal rivers in Maine, now only remnant populations remain. Recovering this iconic species is a priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Hundreds of spiny lobsters were unlawfully harvested by the defendants involved in this case. Credit: NOAA

Rollover Image: Divers work to remove one of the hundreds of casitas that were unlawfully installed in Federal waters to serve as artifical habitat for spiny lobsters Credit: USFWS

Protecting the Nation's Wildlife Resources
Florida Men Sentenced for Illegal Lobster Harvest
February 16, 2010
A cooperative Federal/State probe of illegal commercial lobstering and fishing in the Florida Keys recently concluded with the sentencing of two more Florida men for unlawfully harvesting spiny lobster from federally protected waters. The case secured the felony convictions of eight defendants and more than $1 million in penalties.

News Release (DOJ)

Case Summary

Investigative Details

Map of "Casita" Distribution in the Keys

Increasing Accessibility at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
FFS #R5GC

Where: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna, Delaware

What’s Happening: Recovery Act funds will be awarded to a Small Business Administration 8(a) certified business to create a handicapped-accessible boardwalk trail at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. This project will enable people with limited mobility to enjoy the forest and salt marsh habitats at the Refuge.