# U.S. Bureau of Fisheries
**Wikidata**: [Q115634861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115634861)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/u-s-bureau-of-fisheries

## Summary
The **U.S. Bureau of Fisheries** was a government agency established in 1903 to oversee fisheries management and conservation in the United States. It operated as a key federal entity until 1940, when it was replaced by the **United States Fish and Wildlife Service**.

## Key Facts
- **Established**: July 1, 1903
- **Type**: Government agency (class: organizational part of a government)
- **Aliases**: United States Bureau of Fisheries
- **Replaced by**: United States Fish and Wildlife Service (effective June 30, 1940)
- **Identifiers**:
  - VIAF ID: 127824913
  - BHL Creator ID: 3414 (as "United States. Bureau of Fisheries.")
  - National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007453022705171
- **Flag**: [Flag of the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_the_United_States_Bureau_of_Fisheries.svg)
- **Distinct from**: United States Fish Commission (a separate entity)

## FAQs
**What was the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries?**
The U.S. Bureau of Fisheries was a federal agency created in 1903 to manage and conserve marine and freshwater fisheries in the United States. It played a critical role in fisheries research and regulation until its dissolution in 1940.

**When did the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries cease to exist?**
The agency was dissolved on **June 30, 1940**, when its functions were transferred to the newly formed **United States Fish and Wildlife Service**.

**How is the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries different from the United States Fish Commission?**
While both were involved in fisheries management, they were distinct entities. The **United States Fish Commission** predated the Bureau of Fisheries and was not the same organization.

**What identifiers are associated with the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries?**
Key identifiers include:
- **VIAF ID**: 127824913
- **BHL Creator ID**: 3414 (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007453022705171

## Why It Matters
The U.S. Bureau of Fisheries was instrumental in shaping early **fisheries conservation and management policies** in the United States. Its work laid the foundation for modern wildlife and aquatic resource protection, influencing later agencies like the **U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service**. By regulating fishing practices and conducting scientific research, it helped balance economic interests with environmental sustainability—a challenge that remains relevant today.

## Notable For
- Being the **primary federal agency** for fisheries management from **1903 to 1940**.
- Its **transition into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service**, marking a shift in federal conservation strategy.
- Maintaining a **distinct identity** from the earlier **United States Fish Commission**.
- Having a **dedicated flag** representing its official status.

## Body

### **History and Establishment**
The **U.S. Bureau of Fisheries** was formally established on **July 1, 1903**, as a government agency tasked with overseeing fisheries management. It operated under federal jurisdiction, focusing on the conservation and regulation of marine and freshwater resources.

### **Organizational Role and Classification**
As a **government agency**, it was part of the broader administrative structure responsible for public services related to natural resources. Its classification aligns with other federal entities managing sectors like health, transportation, and education.

### **Transition and Dissolution**
The Bureau of Fisheries was **replaced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service** on **June 30, 1940**, consolidating its functions into a broader conservation framework. This transition reflected evolving federal priorities in wildlife and habitat management.

### **Identifiers and Documentation**
The agency is recorded in multiple bibliographic and institutional databases:
- **VIAF ID (Virtual International Authority File)**: 127824913
- **BHL Creator ID (Biodiversity Heritage Library)**: 3414 (listed as "United States. Bureau of Fisheries.")
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007453022705171

### **Distinction from Related Entities**
The **U.S. Bureau of Fisheries** is explicitly **different from the United States Fish Commission**, an earlier organization with overlapping but distinct mandates. This distinction is important for historical clarity in fisheries governance.

### **Symbolism and Representation**
The agency had an **official flag**, depicted in historical records and available via Wikimedia Commons: [Flag of the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_the_United_States_Bureau_of_Fisheries.svg).

### **Legacy and Influence**
Though dissolved in 1940, its work influenced modern fisheries policies and the structure of successor agencies. The **U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service** continues its mission in an expanded form, addressing both aquatic and terrestrial conservation.

## References

1. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File