Office of Habitat Conservation

Healthy habitats like wetlands, rivers, and coral reefs are the foundation of our nation’s fisheries. When those habitats are damaged or lost, fish aren’t able to maintain or grow their populations.

The Office of Habitat Conservation works to ensure fish have access to high quality habitat, which helps support sustainable populations and preserve these valuable resources for future generations.

In addition to supporting fisheries, habitats are vital to our nation’s economy and culture, bolstering industries, jobs, recreation, and more. Our work directly sustains these natural resources while driving economic benefits for coastal communities. 

Our approach to habitat conservation is collaborative. We work with partners at all levels—local, state, and federal governments, academic institutions, private businesses, and non-governmental organizations—to achieve our shared goals.

Our habitat conservation efforts include:

• Supporting on-the-ground coastal habitat restoration projects
• Restoring natural resources injured by oil spills and hazardous waste
• Advancing restoration in the Gulf of America after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
• Increasing fisheries productivity by protecting coastal habitats
• Increasing our understanding of deep-sea coral communities
• Improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay through science, service, and stewardship