Licensing and Regulation
The primary responsibility of the Grant Coordination and Licensure Branch is the coordination of grants, which enable management to effectively use financial resources necessary for the administration and development of comprehensive fisheries and wildlife programs. The licensure component gives managers regulatory influence over species and their habitats to better protect, conserve, and enhance fisheries and wildlife resources. This division develops policies and regulations and enforces regulations in coordination with the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Harbor Police and the Capital Park Police.
The Department of Health's Environmental Health Administration Fisheries and Wildlife Division works diligently to protect and improve fisheries resources for citizens and visitors of the District of Columbia. Tremendous water quality improvements in the Potomac River and signs of improvement in the Anacostia River have resulted in an increase in the numbers of game fish, including largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass, crappies, and yellow perch.
The District's implementation of management and research programs has minimized the exploitation of the District's fisheries resources. The District introduced regulations that limit the size and number of a select fish species that anglers are allowed to keep. Surveys of migratory and resident fish, fish habitat, fish health, and anglers' practices are conducted. These activities provide valuable information to better understand and advance the efforts to increase the number and diversity of fish in its waters.
