Fish & Sharks
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


New England For-Hire Groundfish Fleet Partners with NOAA Fisheries to Improve Cod Data

New Kids on the Block: Species Discovered by Our Scientists

Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs
Multimedia


Research
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.
Near Real-time Temperatures from the 2025 Bering Sea Bottom Trawl Survey
Water temperature affects many species' spawning times, access to food, growth rates, and overall range. Collecting temperature data helps better understand species’ habitats and the larger ecosystem. This page will update 3x/week throughout the survey.
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.
