View source for Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Massachusetts)

[[File:MassachusettsFishandWildlife.svg|200px|right]]
The Massachusetts '''Division of Fisheries and Wildlife''', sometimes referred to as MassWildlife, is an agency of the [[Department of Fish and Game (Massachusetts)|Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game]], within the [[Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (Massachusetts)|Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs]]. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. MassWildlife was founded as a state fisheries commission in 1866 in response to citizen concerns about the loss of Atlantic salmon to dams and pollution.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife|title=Division of Fisheries and Wildlife|website=Mass.gov|accessdate=Mar 18, 2020}}</ref> The agency's activities are mainly supported by revenue from the sale of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, stamps and permits; returns from federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment; various bond initiatives (primarily for land purchase. Additional funding is derived from voluntary donations from businesses, conservation organizations, and individuals.<ref name="auto"/>

The conservation - including protection, restoration, and management - of Massachusetts' fauna and flora is the statutory responsibility of MassWildlife.  Specifically, MassWildlife's charge is the stewardship of all wild amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and freshwater and diadromous fishes in the state, as well as endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including native wild plants and invertebrates.  This responsibility is established and articulated in the Constitution and General Laws of Massachusetts.
MassWildlife is overseen by a seven-member Fisheries and Wildlife Board appointed by the Governor. Under Chapter 21, the Board supervises and controls the agency, having the authority to make regulations, sets policy, and oversees personnel appointments. The Board meets monthly and holds public hearings as part of the regulatory process. All meetings and hearings are posted on the agency website as well as at agency facilities.<ref name = "DFW1">
{{Cite web
| url         = http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/oversight.htm
| title       = Oversight
| accessdate  = 2009-11-04
| author      = Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
| date        = 
}}
</ref>

MassWildlife manages over 100 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and 13 wildlife sanctuaries with responsibility for over {{convert|200000|acres|km2}} of lands and waters. WMAs are all open to hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities. Sanctuaries are more restrictive—camping, hunting, fishing and trapping is prohibited.<ref name = "DFW2">
{{Cite web
| url         = http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_wma.htm
| title       = Wildlife Management Area Regulations
| accessdate  = 2009-11-04
| author      = Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
| date        = 
}}
</ref>

MassWildlife runs fish hatcheries in [[Sandwich, Massachusetts|Sandwich]], [[Belchertown, Massachusetts|Belchertown]], [[Montague, Massachusetts|Montague]] and [[Sunderland, Massachusetts|Sunderland]]. Rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout are raised to stock various state waters.<ref name = "hatcheries">
{{Cite web
| url         = http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/hatcheries.htm
| title       = State Fish Hatcheries (includes locations and contacts)
| accessdate  = 2009-11-04
| author      = Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
| date        = 
}}
</ref>

Mass Wildlife's website has information on regulations and permits for hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational land use. In addition there are maps of wildlife management locations and information on wildlife viewing. The agency also publishes the quarterly magazine ''Massachusetts Wildlife'' which has excellent photos and articles on state flora and fauna. 
MassWildlife also publishes the following:
*Booklets
**Field Guide to Animals in Vernal Pools
**Wildlife Sanctuaries
**Living Waters
**Town Core Habitat Reports, 2004
**Classification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts Reprinted 2004
*Maps/Atlases
**Natural Heritage Rare Species & Habitat Atlas
**Town Core Habitat Maps
**Aerial Photo Survey of Potential Vernal Pools in Massachusetts (CD Viewer)
**Pond Maps
**Wildlife Management Area Maps
*Posters
**Living Waters Poster
**BioMap Poster
*Flyers/Lists
**Landowner Incentive Program
**Rare Species List

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/about-masswildlife/ About MassWildlife] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021032116/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/about-masswildlife/ |date=2014-10-21 }}, Mass.gov {{PD-notice}} ''For reference see [https://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdf A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law]'', published by the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

==External links==
* [http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/ MassWildlife HomePage on the Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game]
* [http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/index.htm Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910205358/http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/index.htm |date=2009-09-10 }}
* [http://www.mass.gov/envir/ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs]
* [http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/ Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Guide to Hunting, Freshwater Fishing & Trapping] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616134705/http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingAndFishing/ |date=2011-06-16 }}
* [http://www.eregulations.com/Massachusetts/huntingandfishing/ Official DFW Hunting Regulations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005182838/http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingAndFishing/ |date=2013-10-05 }}
* [http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/ Official DFW Freshwater Fishing Regulations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616134705/http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingAndFishing/ |date=2011-06-16 }}
* [http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/fishing/saltwater/ Official DFW Saltwater Fishing Regulations]

{{Massachusetts}}
{{Current Massachusetts statewide political officials}}
{{U.S. political divisions governments}}
{{Protected Areas of Massachusetts}}
{{Administrative divisions of Massachusetts}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Division Of Fisheries And Wildlife (Massachusetts)}}
[[Category:State agencies of Massachusetts]]