Technical Abstract: Diverse genetic resources and the genetic variability within species are the raw materials by which the productivity of aquatic species populations can be increased for food production. Due to the importance of these resources there is growing international awareness that these resources are important and should be protected. Since the inception of the National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP) in 1999 germplasm samples from aquatic species have been acquired, this includes: 24,228 germplasm samples from 729 animals that represent 20 freshwater fin-fish, marine invertebrates, and marine fin-fish species. The collection has been acquired from research, industry, and wild populations with the assistance of the NAGP Aquatic Species Committee. This committee also serves to advise the program about which populations to target for collection and to assist in developing protocols for the cryopreservation of germplasm from aquatic species. As with all germplasm held by the U. S. government, it is freely available to the requestor if sufficient quantities are available for the requested use. To date, the aquatic collection has been used to cross spring and fall spawning research lines. Due to the collection efforts to date the level of genetic resource protection has increased significantly. However, significant efforts still exist to complete the collection process, understand the diversity captured, and provide information about the collection to potential users.