The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal government entity responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its conservation programs. They are the force behind restoring and conserving our nation’s imperiled species and their habitats by utilizing partnerships, employing scientific excellence, and developing a workforce of conservation leaders. This regulatory agency has jurisdiction over all of the United States. They issue and determine hunting, fishing, and collection licenses and their parameters. They also work with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agencies to monitor import and export of animals and plants.
Three major goals of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
1) Protect endangered and threatened species, and pursue their recovery.
2) Conserve candidate species and species-at-risk so that listing under the ESA is not necessary.
3) To protect and manage the natural habitats of endangered and threatened species.