What We Do

The Warm Springs Fish Health Unit focuses on keeping hatchery and wild fish populations healthy by providing the following services: 

  • Diagnostic assistance for both hatcheries and wild fish health problems that arise regionally.
  • Inspection testing services for annual fish health certifications. 
  • National Wild Fish Survey to aid in the detection, monitoring, distribution, and management of fish pathogens in wild populations

Fish health personnel provide service, expertise and information that contributes to the health, survival, enhancement, restoration, and recovery of fish and other aquatic species in support of national and regional priorities by working with various entities which include: 

  • Federal agencies including other Fish and Wildlife Service program offices.
  • State agencies.
  • Native American Tribes.
  • Military bases.
  • Universities.
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).
  • The public.



 

Management and Conservation

National Fish Hatcheries have been responding to conservation challenges affecting America’s fish and other aquatic species for nearly 150 years. Fish production and habitat conservation continue to be an irreplaceable tools in managing and restoring fisheries.

Warm Springs Fish Health Center works hand in hand with our regional hatcheries, numerous state hatcheries, tribal hatcheries and private fish farm owners to ensure the aquatic species reared and housed in those facilities are receiving the highest standard of care.

Our Services

The Warm Springs Fish health Unit houses multiple laboratories which aid in the identification and confirmation of pathogens. 

  • The Parasitology lab allows staff to isolate and identify and assist with the management of  parasites that a present is fish populations.
  • The Bacteriology lab allows the culture, isolation, and identification of bacteria 
  • The Virology lab allows for  the isolation, replications, and proper identification of a viral pathogen from the host though the use of cell culture and species specific cell lines. 
  • The Molecular lab allows for staff to identify pathogens though the analysis of genetic material (RNA and DNA
Adult Grass carp
National Triploid Grass Carp Inspection and Certification Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a triploid grass carp inspection service for natural resource agencies in the United States and in other countries, to help States and others protect their aquatic habitats. The inspection program is to provide assurance to these agencies, and others...

Service
Invasive and Injurious Species

Our Projects and Research

We use science and innovative technology to drive our management and conservation of aquatic resources while working collaboratively with partners to effectively meet today’s complex conservation challenges.