A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND

The original National Fish Habitat Action Plan was born in 2001 when an ad hoc group supported by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council explored the notion of developing a partnership effort for fish on the scale of what was done for waterfowl in the 1980s through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The waterfowl plan has worked wonders during the past two decades to boost waterfowl populations by forming strong local and regional partnerships to protect key habitats. The Plan was codified by Title II of PL 116-188 America’s Conservation Enhancement Act: National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships on October 30, 2020.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to protect, restore and enhance the nation’s fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people.

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OUR PLANS

  • Supporting existing fish habitat partnerships and fostering new efforts
  • Mobilizing and focusing national and local support for achieving fish habitat conservation goals
  • Set national and regional fish habitat conservation goals
  • Measure and communicate the status and needs of fish habitats
  • Provide national leadership and coordination to conserve fish habitats
Goals

Our Goals

Protect and maintain intact and healthy aquatic systems

Prevent further degradation of fish habitats that have been adversely affected

Reverse declines in the quality and quantity of aquatic habitats to improve the overall health of fish and other aquatic organisms

Increase the quality and quantity of fish habitats that support a broad natural diversity of fish and other aquatic species

MEET THE STAFF & BOARD

  • Ryan Roberts

    Program Manager, National Fish Habitat Partnership (Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies)

  • Kate Sherman

    Data Management Specialist, GIS Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

  • Jason Olive

    NFHP Partnership Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

  • Alex Mcowen

    NFHP Coordinator, NOAA, (National Marine Fisheries Service)

  • Daniel Wieferich

    Co-Chair Science and Data Committee, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

  • Gary Whelan

    Co-Chair Science and Data Committee, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Board Meetings

Board Meetings

Upcoming meetings of the National Fish Habitat Board

NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD MEETING

November 06 2024

NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD MEETING

  • Time 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
  • Location Virtual

Documents

Various resources and documents can be found here

Updates

Action Plans

National Fish Habitat Action Plan

National Fish Habitat Action Plan: 2nd Edition

Board Bylaws

National Fish Habitat Board Bylaws (Approved December 2023)

Legislation

PL 116-188, Title II: America’s Conservation Enhancement Act