Fish Hatcheries
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior whose mission is "working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people". The Service’s Fisheries Program has played a vital role in conserving America’s fishery resources for over 130 years, and today is a key partner with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, other Service programs, and private interests in a larger effort to conserve fish and other aquatic resources. Established in 1871 by Congress through the creation of a U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, the National Fish Hatchery System's original purpose was to provide additional domestic food fish to replace declining native fish. Cultured fish were used to replace fish that were lost from natural (drought, flood, habitat destruction) or human (over-harvest, pollution, habitat loss due to development and dam construction) influences, to establish fish populations to meet specific management needs, and to provide for the creation of new and expanded recreational fisheries opportunities.