Seeking Feedback on the FWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program Strategic Plan 2025-2030

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

OMB Control No. 1090-0012

Expires 02/28/2027

Dear Federal Agency Partners:

The Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun an effort to update its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.

The Federal Family is one of our largest partners in program implementation. We seek your engagement, insights and advice regarding how we may continue to improve our role in implementing FACs programs in a way that is complementary to your various missions, and we seek opportunities to find co-benefits and add value for the American people.

Because FAC has a varied set of program activities and responsibilities, we have organized a set of topic-specific webinars for federal agencies so that agency staff can engage with us in areas of the greatest interest to them. Please pass on the following information to relevant staff with the appropriate interest and subject matter knowledge. There is no limit to the number of staff that can participate, and people can participate in more than one session if appropriate.

Each person who wishes to participate will need to click on the link specific to that topic. Once registered, a calendar invite with a webinar link will be sent directly to those registered.

Aquatic Conservation and Restoration	Habitat Restoration Fish Passage Threatened and Endangered Species	DATE 11:30 to 1:00 (Eastern) LINK HERE
Aquaculture and Fish Production	Capacity and expertise in the National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS)   Volume of facilities and breadth of productions  Key asset and operational challenges and capacity  Role in Title 50, AADAP and Aquatic Animal Health  Mitigation, restoration, and recovery.	DATE 11:00 to 12:30 (Eastern LINK HERE
Animal Health	Drug approval for aquatic species   Human food safety and environmental impacts	DATE 11:00 to 12:30 (Eastern) LINK
Applied Science	Fish Technology Centers and Fish Health Centers  eDNA  National Aquaculture Development Plan  National Aquatic Animal Health Plan	TBD
Monitoring		DATE 1:00 to 2:30 (Eastern) LINK

We value your participation in this process and to most efficiently use our time together we intend to organize the webinar around the following questions. We will allow additional time after the presentation for open discussion.

1. What strengths and weaknesses do you see with FAC’s current program areas?

2. What do you think are the most important program offerings that FAC provides? Is there anything we do that is unique or irreplaceable?

3. What new areas of focus, activity, or innovation should FAC consider? Why?

4. What does a highly successful USFWS FAC Program look like in 10 years?

If you are unable to make the webinars or would like to provide feedback in writing, please send an email directly to [email protected] by DATE.

We are aiming to have a draft plan available by the beginning of 2025 and will provide opportunity for informal feedback prior to finalization.

Sincerely, 

Dave Miko  

Assistant Director 

Fish and Aquatic Conservation 

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