North American Native Fishes Association
Conservation, study, and captive husbandry of North America's native fishes.
The North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) is a nonprofit U.S. organization that unites hobbyists, scientists, educators, and conservationists around the study and protection of the continent’s native fish. Founded in 1972, the group publishes a quarterly magazine, *American Currents*, which covers topics like collecting, observing, breeding, and conserving these species. NANFA also provides two types of grants: one for research on endangered fish biology and conservation, and another—the Gerald C. Corcoran Education Grant—for public outreach programs. Members connect through an annual convention featuring lectures, museum visits, and responsible collecting trips, as well as through an email list, website, and online forum. The association organizes field excursions where participants can legally collect native fish, remove invasive species, and help restore natural habitats.
- Founded
- 1972
- Type
- non-profit, tax-exempt U.S. corporation
- Publication
- American Currents magazine (quarterly)
- Grants
- conservation research grant and Gerald C. Corcoran Education Grant
Lore & Background
NANFA was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, tax-exempt U.S. corporation. It serves to unite professionals and amateurs with a shared interest in North America's native fishes, including aquarists, anglers, biologists, ichthyologists, educators, and naturalists. The association publishes the quarterly magazine American Currents, which features articles on collecting, keeping, observing, conserving, and breeding North American fishes.
NANFA funds two types of grants: a conservation research grant for research on the biology and conservation of endangered fishes, and the Gerald C. Corcoran Education Grant for educational outreach programs aimed at the general public. The association organizes meetings and excursions where members can discuss and legally and responsibly collect native fishes, remove exotic fishes, and conserve or restore natural habitats. Its annual convention includes lectures, collecting trips, and visits to natural history museums, public aquaria, or zoos.
Communication among members is facilitated through an active email discussion list, a web site, and a forum for online discussion.
Reader's Guide
The North American Native Fishes Association holds significance as a dedicated organization for the conservation, study, and captive husbandry of North America's native fishes. Its quarterly magazine, American Currents, provides a platform for sharing knowledge on collecting, keeping, observing, conserving, and breeding these species. The association's grants—a conservation research grant for endangered fish biology and the Gerald C. Corcoran Education Grant for public outreach—directly support research and education. Through meetings, excursions, and an annual convention featuring lectures, collecting trips, and visits to museums, aquaria, or zoos, NANFA fosters community and practical engagement. Its legacy includes promoting responsible collection of native fishes, removal of exotic species, and habitat conservation, supported by an active email discussion list, web site, and online forum for ongoing dialogue among members.
Did You Know?
- NANFA was founded in 1972.
- It funds a conservation research grant and the Gerald C. Corcoran Education Grant.
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