Fisheries Program
Aquatic Species
Nearly 40% of America’s freshwater species are at risk of decline or vulnerable to extinction as a consequence of habitat degradation, water quality impairment, rising water temperatures and reduced water availability, invasive species, and other threats. Research by the USGS found that since 1989, the number of extinct North American fish species has increased by 25% and up to another 86 species may disappear by 2050.
The USGS Fisheries Program delivers cutting-edge science to help conserve and restore our Nation’s at-risk aquatic species and manage healthy fisheries for the American people and economy. The fishing industry supports over 800,000 jobs nationwide and more than 46 million licensed anglers generate a $115 billion impact on the economy through recreational fishing.
USGS aquatic scientists conduct studies on fisheries biology and ecology, life history, evolutionary biology, physiology and health, and conservation and restoration strategies for at-risk aquatic species including native fish, invertebrates, mollusks, crayfishes, and amphibians.
Browse Aquatic Species science related to:
Passage Technologies for American Eels
The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) migrates into freshwater in the juvenile (glass eel and elver) stage, feeds and grows in freshwater habitats, and migrates downstream to the ocean to spawn as an adult. Migrating eels frequently encounter barriers in river environments, primarily in the form of dams, that limit access of juveniles to upstream growth habitat, and can injure or kill...
Assessing native fish restoration potential in Catoctin Mountain Park
Native species conservation is a fundamental purpose of National Parks. Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO) in Maryland supports a prized trout fishery and a healthy community of native fishes, with one exception: native Blue Ridge Sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) appear to have been extirpated from Big Hunting Creek above Cunningham Falls. Infection by a fungal-like protist ...
Assessing stream health and fish habitat in streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Streams and rivers provide habitat for a diverse array of aquatic and semi-aquatic species. However, human alteration to landscapes and riverscapes has affected this habitat resulting in its degradation and thus loss of habitat and associated sensitive aquatic species. While this relationship has been known for many years, only recently has the availability of data and analytical capabilities...
Exploring the potential effects of shale oil and gas development on freshwaters
Widespread shale oil and gas (unconventional oil and gas, UOG) has only recently begun and many gaps in our knowledge of its potential effects to freshwaters exist. We conducted several studies aimed at filling these gaps, providing data on the rates and volumes of materials spilled, proximity of spills to important ecosystems, and overall production of wastes. These data together with current...
Fish locomotion and biomechanics as limiting and optimizing factors in fish passage
Swimming ability determines how well fish are able to access habitat, and is a fundamental design consideration for passing fish at dams, road crossings, etc. The purpose of this study plan is to improve understanding of how fish are able to negotiate zones of high velocity and turbulent flow, such as are found in fishways, culverts, as well as in natural areas. Swimming performance is...
Genetic connectivity among regional populations of red tree corals (Primnoa pacifica) in the North Pacific Ocean
Knowledge of the degree to which populations are connected through larval dispersal is imperative to effective management, yet little is known about larval dispersal capability or population connectivity in Primnoa pacifica, an important habitat forming octocoral on the outer continental shelf and upper slope in the Gulf of Alaska. Red tree corals can reach massive size (up to 5m...
Genetic characterization of the clubshell species complex (Pleurobema clava and P. oviforme) for enhanced conservation
The diversity of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) in the United States is unmatched in the rest of the world, yet this biodiversity is highly vulnerable, with more than 70% of recognized species considered to be either endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Most species inhabit limited ranges and have small (and/or often unknown) dispersal abilities due to reliance on specific...
Climate change forecasts for eastern salmonids
Small streams in forests are likely to see dramatic shifts as global climate change influences air temperature and rain patterns. We have already seen warmer stream temperatures as air temperatures increase in summer in the Northeastern US. The intensity and duration of floods and droughts are also expected to magnify as future rain patterns shift. This project will evaluate how stream...
Use of next-generation sequencing for the dietary analyses of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) stomach content
The USGS Leetown Science Center (USGS LSC) scientists are collaborating with the PADEP (SMB) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for fish diets that will allow us to develop a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish. We will test the utility of this method and, once fully developed, these methods could be generally applied in many other piscivorous species...
Development of Next Generation Techniques of fecal samples collected from nestling cactus wren
Coastal cactus wren populations have declined in southern California over the last three decades. In San Diego County, this decline has been especially noticeable in the Otay area, which in 2014 supported 14 territories on conserved lands. In the past, there were 25-53 active territories reported for this same area, with the highest estimate in 1992. There is also concern the number of active...
An ecosystem approach to assessing unconventional oil and gas impacts in aquatic ecosystems
The development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) technology promises economic, societal and national security benefits. However, technological developments in this field have rapidly outpaced scientific studies on potential environmental effects. The effects of accidental UOG-related spills on environmental health are not adequately characterized, often occur in already ecological...
Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species
Dwarf wedgemussel is a federally endangered freshwater mussel with a historic range spanning the Atlantic coast. However, populations have dramatically declines over the last 30 years. Therefore, knowledge of current population distribution and abundance is critical to resource managers in order to monitor the species over time and to guide recovery actions. Manual survey efforts (snorkel or...