Program operations and fishery production are critical components to comprehensive landscape conservation with close considerations to environmental health and safety, water quality, economic benefits, rights protection, and habitat enhancement. Activities conducted are determined by Tribes, and cover a broad array of diverse fisheries, wildlife, conservation enforcement, public use, habitat management, and related programs.
Hatchery maintenance funds supplement facility maintenance for 88 Tribal hatcheries across the Nation. Maintenance is necessary to extend the life of the hatcheries and rearing facilities, so Tribes can continue their fishery programs. Typical projects include re-lining raceways, replacing water pumps, upgrading alarm systems, fencing, roof and ceiling repair, and rearing tank installation. Funding for projects within this program is distributed on a competitive basis. For application information, click here!
Hatchery operations funding is provided to fish-producing Tribes in support of associated hatching, rearing, and stocking programs. Fish production helps achieve mandated fish recovery efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes States where all Tribes in the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan may benefit. The benefits of Tribal hatchery production are far-ranging and linked to benefits both locally and to larger markets, including commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, and larger ecosystem benefits. Millions of fish are produced each year, driving Tribal employment, subsistence, nutrition of Tribal families, and preservation of cultural traditions, recreation, Tribal and non-Tribal local communities and larger markets and interdependent economies.
Salmon and steelhead trout released from Tribal hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest benefit Indian and non-Indian commercial and sport fisheries in the US and Canada and help satisfy Indian subsistence and ceremonial needs.
In the Great Lakes Region and throughout the rest of the country, recreational opportunities created by the stocking of trout, walleye, and other species provide for Tribal subsistence while also attracting sport fishermen to Indian reservations and assisting in the development of reservation economies.
