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
Fishing boats in New England
Logging into Efficiency: Modernizing Atlantic Coastwide Permit and Vessel Logbooks
Life history scientists at NOAA Fisheries work with fishermen to collect otoliths (a fish’s inner ear bones) to estimate the age of fish populations. Pictured: Onaga (Etelis coruscans) Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Projected cooler temperatures in the Gulf of Maine could influence the productivity of species like American lobster, which prefer colder waters. Credit: Matthew Lawrence/NOAA
New Seasonal Forecast Predicts Cooler Waters in Northeast
Ulua angler Cory Olores is one of many fishermen tagging popular game fish with Pacific Islands Fisheries Group’s Tag It program. The program helps fishermen, scientists, and resource managers better understand fish populations. Photo courtesy of Cory Olores
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Research
Exempted Fishing Permits in Alaska
An exempted fishing permit is a permit issued by the Alaska Region to allow fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited under federal regulations. These permits are issued for limited experimental purposes to support certain projects.
South Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits - 2025-2026
The National Marine Fisheries Service has received 3 applications for an EFP from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey
Our Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey collects data on species that prefer rocky habitats—a habitat not efficiently sampled with trawl gear used in bottom trawl surveys
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.
