The Southwest Regional Office, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, administers 13 fisheries field stations in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The Division of Fishery Resources in the Southwest encompasses five national fish hatcheries, two national fish hatchery and fish technology centers, on fish health center, and four fish and wildlife conservations offices.

Mission Statement:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fisheries Program is to conserve, protect and enhance fishery and aquatic resources and their habitat for the continuing benefit of the American people.

National Fish Hatchery System

The National Fish Hatcheries in the Southwest Region (Tishomingo, Inks Dam, San Marcos, Uvalde, Mora, Dexter, Alchesay-Williams Creek Complex, and Willow Beach) annually produce over four million fish. Our hatcheries, in concert with our partners, and other offices within the Southwest Region Fisheries Program, are important components of an integrated approach to the management and restoration of aquatic species and their environments.

Hatcheries in the Southwest have long played an important role in supporting recreational and Tribal Trust responsibilities, and continue to do so today. National Fish Hatcheries within the Southwest have become increasingly important as both short-term refuges for species in crisis and as long-term propagation and management facilities for native species. Over thirty species of listed fish, wildlife and plants are in hatchery care in the Southwest Region. Some of these captive populations are the only known-breeding individuals of their species.

Fish Technology Centers

The Southwest Region's two fish technology centers (Dexter and San Marcos) provide a valuable link between academic research and fish hatcheries. Their mission is to seek improved ways to culture fish and maintain high-quality brood stock through research. Other agencies historically look to the Service for leadership in science and technology. As such, the Center staffs interact with universities, state and other federal agencies, and several private firms to develop state-of-the-art technology.

Fish Health Unit

The Dexter Fish Health Unit works with partners to restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources at self-sustaining levels and supports Federal mitigation programs. The Dexter Fish Health Unit is responsible for aquatic animal pathogen testing and health issues throughout the Southwest Region. Fish health biologists are highly trained in various scientific disciplines, like immunology, epidemiology, toxicology, and genetics. They apply that knowledge in fish heath assessments that might lead to early detection of potentially devastating diseases, prescribing preemptive measures.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices

The four Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices evaluate wild native fish stocks and their habitats, and where feasible, work with partners to restore habitats and fish populations. These offices lead efforts to restore aquatic habitats (instream and wetland) and re-open fish passage, including activities under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and National Fish Passage Program. These offices provide technical fish management assistance to tribes and other partners with a primary focus on native and inter-jurisdictional fish species.

Aquatic Invasive Species Management

The Service's Fisheries Program provides leadership in preventing, eradicating, and controlling invasive species through its Aquatic Invasive Species coordinators. The coordinators work closely with the public and private sector to develop and implement ways to control or eradicate invasive species.

Invasive species in the Southwest are potentially damaging to the environment, businesses, and recreation. These include giant salvinia, New Zealand mudsnail, zebra and quagga mussels, and the potentially invasive brown tree snake.

The Aquatic Invasive Species coordinators strive to increase awareness of invasive species through education, coordinating management activities with other federal and state agencies, and private entities. An informed public is key to preventing the spread of unwanted organisms. Prevention is less costly than eradication.