National Fish Hatchery System

The National Fish Hatchery System was created by Congress on June 10th, 1872 to boost production of food fish to support commercial fisheries and feed families. Over the years, the system has evolved to meet the changing needs of conservation. Today the National Fish Hatchery System is the only national aquaculture program in existence dedicated entirely to the conservation of aquatic species. National fish hatcheries use aquaculture to raise threatened, endangered, or at-risk species in a safe captive environment for eventual release into a natural setting. This work, along with habitat restoration, and other federal protections, can help boost and support wild populations.  

Today, we are a network of cutting-edge conservation offices dedicated to aquatic conservation.

• 71 National Fish Hatcheries raise and stock over 100 million fish every year to support recreational fishing, tribal subsistence fisheries, and the recovery and restoration of imperiled species.
• 7 Fish Technology Centers solve problems in hatchery operations and aquatic resource management.
• 6 Fish Health Centers work on the front lines of helping prevent the spread of aquatic viruses and keeping both wild and hatchery fish healthy.
• 1 Historic National Fish Hatchery and the  National Fish and Aquatic Conservation Archives
• The Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership is part of the Fish and Aquatic Conservation program’s fish health work. It is the only program in the United States dedicated to obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of new medications needed when raising fish at a facility and in protecting fishery resources.

Today there are 16 national fish hatcheries in operation that are more than a century old!