Many native fishes are on the decline worldwide due to anthropogenic impacts

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $155,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission (UEI: MZFRS5137FX9) under the National Fish Passage Program (CFDA 15.685). The funding will support projects to improve native fish migration and reduce fish losses at water withdrawals in Wyoming, which are priorities for conserving native fish species. The Game & Fish Commission has extensive experience in successfully distributing native fish into high mountain waterbodies and working with tribal lands to maintain refuge populations. This award will enable the continuation of the long-standing partnership between the Service and the Wyoming agency to enhance native fish populations, improve fish passage, and mitigate entrainment losses. The project period runs from January 23, 2025 to September 30, 2029.

Improving how humans interact and utilize water resources has direct impacts on fish habitat and the persistence of native species. In wyoming improving the ability of native fishes to migrate and reducing losses at water withdrawals is a priority for conserving native fishes. Additionally, WG f are experts in successfully distributing native fish species into high mountain waterbodies to maintain refuge populations of native fishes and assist with fish distribution on tribal lands. The service and WG f have a long tradition of working together to improve native fish populations, fish passage, and reduce fish loss due to entrainment. Not funding these projects may result in not meeting or significantly delaying completion of state priority projects.