Southwestern Fish Health Unit

The Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources & Recovery Center works with partners to restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources at self-sustaining levels and supports Federal mitigation programs. The FHU is responsible for aquatic animal pathogen testing and health issues in Region 2, which is comprised of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The Health Unit conducts aquatic animal health inspections and provide diagnostic services to federal, state, tribal, and partner hatcheries annually.

Oversee Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) studies conducted at Region 2 Fish Hatcheries.

Under the guidelines of the Service's National Wild Fish Health Survey (NWFHS), initiated in 1997, the FHUt conducts fish health inspections and diagnostic examinations of wild fish populations of threatened and endangered species, sport fish, and native fish.

Test results are provided to resource managers and are available on a FWS supported Web site https://www.fws.gov/wildfishsurvey/.

Participates in Spring Virema Carp Virus (SVCV) surveillance in Southwestern Waters.

Evaluates, tests and utilizes new or modified aquatic animal pathogen detection methods and technology.

Staff serve on the Aquatic Animal Health Policy revision committee, the Standard Procedures for Aquatic Animal Health Inspections revision committee, and the National Wild Fish Health Survey review committee.

Works with Recovery programs, providing recommendations on aquatic animal health components for aquatic T&E species Recovery plans.

For additional information, please contact Teresa Lewis.