THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN 

 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 



Protecting, conserving, and restoring our fish and 

 wildlife resources is a public problem. For this reason 

 the status of these resources is very much a concern 

 of the Federal Government and has been since 1871 

 when the Congress established the U.S. Fish Commis- 

 sion to study the depletion of the fisheries of our 

 seacoasts and lakes. 



The Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States 

 Department of the Interior is the agency through which 

 the Federal Government assumes leadership in the 

 management and protection of fish and wildlife. The 

 responsibilities of the Fish and Wildlife Service are 

 so broad that they affect, directly or indirectly, 

 almost every species of fish and wildlife found in this 

 country. Concisely stated, in performing its duties, 

 the Service -- 



Formulates, issues, and enforces annual regula- 

 tions for the hunting of migratory waterfowl. 



Enforces international treaty acts. 



Acquires land for new refuges and fish hatcheries. 



Manages and develops a system of refuges for 

 waterfowl and other species of wildlife, particularly 

 endangered species. 



Operates nearly 100 fish hatcheries to propagate 

 fishes for stocking public waters and farm ponds. 



Controls predatory animals and injurious rodents. 



Enforces Federal conservation laws. 



Administers the fur seal industry of Alaska. 



Carries on biological and technological research 

 on fishes, birds, and mammals to learn their habits 

 and living needs and economic utilization. 



Conducts studies on commercial species of fish to 

 find ways to improve catching methods, preservation, 

 utilization, and marketing. 



Conducts river basin studies to ensure that fish 

 and wildlife are included in water development plans. 



Administers the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sport 

 Fishery Restoration Acts. 



The goal of the Fish and Wildlife Service is to 

 maintain our fish and Wildlife resources at a level 

 that will have the greatest economic, esthetic, and 

 recreational value possible for all of our citizens. 



