Aquatic Species Conservation and Management

Fish and other aquatic species are of recreational, cultural, and economic importance to Americans. As of 2013, 153 species of fish, 26 species of amphibians, 84 species of mussels, and 23 species of crustaceans are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Many unlisted species are also in decline. Populations of the remaining self-sustaining species are at risk to the same threats that have contributed to declines in other species elsewhere. We work to restore and recover listed and unlisted species and their ecosystems; keep self-sustaining populations in a healthy state, provide for increased recreational opportunities, provide benefits to tribal communities, and allow more flexible land, water and species management.

About the Photo:

A Minnow’s Historic Journey Home

On December 16, 2008 the Rio Grande silvery minnow was released back into its historic range at Big Bend National Park, Texas. The species had not been present in this stretch of the Rio Grande River since the 1960s. The Southwestern Native Aquatic Resource and Recovery Center provided 250,000 age-0 and 150,000 age-1 Rio Grande silvery minnows. Five stocking trucks from the Southwestern Native Aquatic Resource and Recovery Center, Mora NFH, and Alchesay/Williams Creek NFH embarked on a 10-hour trip to Big Bend National Park. Once there, the fish were acclimated for 24 hours in net-pens in the river before they were released into their historic habitat.