Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 of the United States of America establishes a comprehensive national fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources policy with emphasis on the commercial fishing industry but also with a direction to administer the Act with regard to the inherent right of every citizen and resident to fish for pleasure, enjoyment, and betterment and to maintain and increase public opportunities for recreational use of fish and wildlife resources. Among other things, it directs a program of continuing research, extension, and information services on fish and wildlife matters, both domestically and internationally. It confirmed the position of Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and a United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the Interior, and established a Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and a Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.
Reorganization Plan No. IV, October 3, 1970 (84 Stat. 2090), abolished the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and transferred functions related to commercial fisheries and marine sport fisheries, except Great Lakes fishery research and certain other fishery related activities, to the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Public Law 105-242 (112 Stat. 1575), approved October 5, 1998, amended the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to promote volunteer programs and community partnerships for the benefit of national wildlife refuges. This new law enables the Service to implement pilot projects using up to 20 volunteer coordinators who will recruit, train and supervise volunteers in each FWS region; authorizes establishment of a Senior Volunteer Corps focusing on people over the age of 50 and provides authority for project leaders to organize and collaborate with partner organizations and allows that gifts or bequests made to a particular refuge may be spent by that refuge. The new law also requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop refuge education programs to provide outdoor classroom opportunities for students to promote understanding of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to improve scientific literacy in conjunction with both formal and informal education programs.