Fish are extremely diverse animals living in a variety of habitats ranging from coral reefs and kelp forests to rivers, streams, and the open ocean. Most fish can be categorized into one of two primary groups: bony fish (Osteichthyes) and cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes). The skeleton of bony fish is made of bones, while that of cartilaginous fish is made of cartilage. Cartilaginous fish include sharks, skates, and rays.
Most fish under NOAA Fisheries’ jurisdiction are marine fish that spend their entire life in salt water. Others are anadromous—like some species of salmon and sturgeon—which begin their lives in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow into adults, and then return to freshwater to spawn.
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the sustainable management of many species of fish under the Magnuson-Stevens Act that are targeted for human consumption and other uses like fertilizer. Some of these fish include Pacific bluefin tuna, Alaska pollock, and summer flounder. We are also responsible for protecting fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act like Atlantic sturgeon and oceanic whitetip shark.
Species News
A Type D killer whale, a recently discovered new species. Credit: Paul Tixier
Aerial view of the Ridgefield Pits in the foreground on the East Fork Lewis River before restoration. The Daybreak Pits can also be seen and are located adjacent to the Ridgefield Pits. The project will focus on restoring the nine Ridgefield Pits. Credit: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs
Chinook salmon. (Credit: NOAA Fisheries)
Microsoft Provides AI and Cloud Computing for NOAA Project to Better Map Prime Salmon Habitat
The NOAA research vessel Gloria Michelle conducts groundfish surveys in New England, an important mission to support science-based fisheries management. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
As Fishing Season Opens, NOAA Implements Emergency Action to Ensure Uninterrupted Northeast Fisheries
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Research
Surveys in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
We conduct research and monitoring surveys to better understand the physical, biological, economic, and social components of marine ecosystems found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean from the Canadian Scotian Shelf to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
When Fishers Guide Scientific Exploration: Case Study With ’Ōpelu in Hawai’i
To understand the environmental factors influencing ‘ōpelu catchability, we combined fisher…
Acoustic-Trawl and Optical Surveys and Research in Alaska
The Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering Program supports fisheries management through world-class applied science, technology, gear, and data-driven research.
Monitoring the Ecosystem in the Northeast
The most comprehensive, ongoing program exploring marine resources and oceanographic conditions in the Northwest Atlantic. Our analyses inform local and international fisheries management, protected species research, and climate science.
Understanding Fisheries Management in the United States
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for managing marine fisheries within the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Learn more about the sustainable management of our marine fisheries.
