Strategic Plan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program: FY2016-2020

The Strategic Plan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program: FY2016-2020 is a national cross-sectoral plan/strategy of the United States of America. Its main vision is achieving sustainable populations of fish and other aquatic species and conserving and restoring their habitats for the benefit of current and future generations.
More specifically, it aims to recover listed species such that protection under the Endangered Species Act is no longer needed; restore and enhance declining populations to self-sustaining levels to preclude listing under the Endangered Species Act; prevent declines of other priority species by addressing recognized threats as soon as possible; develop landscape-scale habitat conservation strategies using the SHC Framework; conserve, restore, and enhance habitats using available FAC tools; work with federal, tribal, state and other partners to implement additional actions to achieve landscape-scale habitat conservation objectives; prevent introduction of potentially invasive species into the U.S.; work with tribes, states, and other partners to implement a national early detection and rapid response framework; in collaboration with tribes, states and other partners, prevent the spread of potentially invasive species already in the U.S.; manage established populations of AIS through population suppression; promote a full understanding of the scope and importance of the FAC program’s roles in meeting tribal trust fish and wildlife conservation obligations; develop and maintain effective relationships between the Service and federally recognized tribes; deliver tribal trust fish and wildlife conservation and manage subsistence uses of fishery resources; leverage other FAC goals to conserve, restore and enhance aquatic species and their habitats, control invasive species, and fulfill tribal trust and subsistence responsibilities to maintain and increase the productivity of our nation’s fishery resources; use the National Fish Hatchery System to conserve, restore and enhance fishery resources and other aquatic species; increase recreational fishing and other public uses and enjoyment of aquatic resources; cultivate and enhance an effective and diverse workforce to meet current and future challenges in fish and aquatic resource conservation; maintain and enhance safe and adequate water supplies, infrastructure, and other assets; enhance scientific capacity and technological tools necessary for conservation and management; use communication tools to engage and educate the public in the Service’s conservation mission; conduct hands-on community-based recreation and education programs to engage the public in outdoor recreational activities and the Service’s conservation mission; and in partnership with other federal agencies, states, tribes, and the private sector, develop and implement a comprehensive and unified national public outreach and education strategy.