Toledo Bend
Bi-State
Alliance

Prepared by William B. Lewis

JULY 24, 1997

THE SRA FISH HATCHERY COMMITTEE IS COLLECTING INFORMATION ON FISH HATCHERIES AS PART OF ITS STUDY TO DETERMINE THE ADVISABILITY OF BUILDING A HATCHERY ON TOLEDO BEND.

THE STUDY WILL ALSO TRY TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF HATCHERY THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE, THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND THE POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING

VISITS TO TWO HATCHERIES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED--ONE TO THE TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER (T F F C) IN ATHENS, TEXAS, AND ONE TO THE BOOKER FOWLER AND BEECHWOOD FISH HATCHERIES AT FOREST HILL, LOUISIANA ( NEAR ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA).

INFORMATION GAINED FROM THESE VISITS WILL BE USED TO HELP DETERMINE THE TYPE OF HATCHERY PROGRAM THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE FOR TOLEDO BEND AND WHAT ROLE THE SRA MIGHT PLAY IN GETTING A HATCHERY FOR THIS AREA.

THE ATHENS T F F C HATCHERY AND THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY HAVE MANY SIMILARITIES, BUT DIFFER IN SOME MAJOR RESPECTS IN THEIR PURPOSES.

THIS SUBMITTAL WILL DISCUSS BRIEFLY EACH HATCHERY.

NO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SRA ACTIONS WILL BE MADE AT THIS TIME.

INTRODUCTION:

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN A GREAT INTEREST IN PROMOTING THE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THIS COUNTRY.

THERE HAVE BEEN 5 MAJOR ACTS OF CONGRESS PASSED THAT SUPPORT THIS NATIONAL PROGRAM:

* FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT

* THE ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION ACT

* THE MAGNUSON FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT

* THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

* FEDERAL AID TO SPORT FISH RESTORATION

THE TWO HATCHERIES VISITED WERE FUNDED UNDER THE FEDERAL AID TO SPORTFISH RESTORATION ACT (COMMONLY CALLED THE DINGLE-JOHNSON ACT) WHICH WAS CREATED IN 1950. THIS ACT WAS PATTERNED AFTER AN EARLIER FEDERAL AID TO WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT OR "PITTMAN-ROBERTSON ACT"

THIS ACT PLACED A 10% TAX ON REELS, RODS, CREELS, AND ARTIFICIAL .LURES. THIS TAX WAS COLLECTED FROM MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS. IT WAS PAID TO THE U.S. TREASURY AND TRANSFERRED TO THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR DISTRIBUTION.

LATER (1984) A SECOND ACT REFERRED TO AS THE "WALLOPS-BREAUX ACT" INCREASED THE TAX TO COVER TACKLE BOXES, TROLLING MOTORS, MOTOR BOAT FUELS ETC. THE EFFECT OF THIS BILL WAS TO INCREASE THE REVENUES FROM $50 MILLION TO $200 MILLION (1990 FIGURES)

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATES WITH THE STATES THROUGH AN "ACTION PLAN FOR FISHERY RESOURCES AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS"

THE STATE HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY FOR MANAGING THE FISHERY RESOURCES WITHIN ITS BORDERS AND RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A COORDINATING OFFICER ACTING UNDER THE "FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATING ACT" AND OTHER US ACTS, AS THEY APPLY

ALL HATCHERY PROGRAMS ARE AGREED TO AND SPECIFIED THROUGH A "MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING" WHICH SPELLS OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND

THE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE. (THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES , IN THE CASE OF LOUISIANA. OR THE PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT IN THE CASE OF TEXAS.)

PROGRAMS UNDER THESE ACTS ARE FUNDED ON A 75% / 25% SHARING WITH THE STATES. FUNDS RECEIVED BY EACH STATE ARE BASED 60% ON ANGLERS LICENSES AND 40% ON LAND AND WATER AREA.

THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE'S ROLE IN THE PROGRAMS IS TO MONITOR ADHERENCE TO THE LAW, PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, SET STANDARDS FOR PERFORMANCE, AND MONITOR PROGRESS.

THE STATE'S ROLE IS TO SELECT AND PLAN THE PROGRAM, AND TO PERFORM THE MANAGEMENT WORK.

THE STATE MAY SELECT THE TYPE OF PROGRAM THAT SUITS IT'S NEEDS.

IT MAY CHOOSE TO::

* IMPROVE FISH HABITAT

* MAKE LAND ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCT PUBLIC FISHING AREAS

* PERFORM FISHERIES RESEARCH

* CONTROL NUISANCE PLANTS

* REMOVE UNDESIRABLE FISH

* ADD NEW SPECIES OF SPORT FISH

THE FOLLOWING PAGES WILL DISCUSS THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES FISH HATCHERY PROGRAM AND THE TEXAS FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY

LOUISIANA FISH HATCHERY PROGRAM

HISTORICALLY, LOUISIANA HAS HAD FISH HATCHERIES SINCE THE 1920-1930 PERIOD. THERE WERE THREE HATCHERIES AND ALL DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FISH FOR STOCKING SMALL FARM PONDS AND LAKES OR PROVIDING INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF THOSE INVOLVED IN FARM STOCKING OR COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE. THESE HATCHERIES WERE SMALL, CONSISTING OF A FEW EARTHEN PONDS OF ABOUT ONE ACRE EACH.

THE THREE HATCHERIES USED FOR FRESH WATER FISH WERE LACOMBE, MONROE, AND BEECHWOOD. THESE HATCHERIES WERE FOR THE SPAWNING AND PROVISIONING OF FINGERLINGS OF NATIVE FRESHWATER FISH--NAMELY BASS AND BLUEGILLS.

IN 1989 THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES EMBARKED ON A NEW PROGRAM OF FISH PRODUCTION.

THE NEW PROGRAM WOULD INVOLVE THE CREATION OF A NEW HATCHERY (BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY) WHERE ALL FRESHWATER FISH FRY WOULD BE PRODUCED. THE FORMER THREE FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERIES WOULD ASSUME A NEW ROLE IN SUPPORT OF THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY.

THESE HATCHERIES WILL BE DISCUSSED BRIEFLY IN FOLLOWING .SECTIONS.

AN ADDITIONAL HATCHERY (THE TOLEDO BEND FISH RESEARCH STATION) WAS CREATED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STRIPER AND HYBRID STRIPER FRY. THESE FRY WERE USED IN THE RESTORATION OF THE DEPLETED STOCK OF GULF RACE STRIPERS. THE PROGRAM THIS HATCHERY OPERATES UNDER IS THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND THE FEDERAL AID IN SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT

THIS FACILITY IS STAFFED ONLY DURING THE SPAWNING SEASON WHICH RUNS FROM THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL, WITH THE COLLECTION OF BROOD STOCK, THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY, WITH THE DELIVERY OF THE RESULTING FRY.

STAFFING IS TEMPORARY WITH ABOUT 30 INLAND FISHERIES DIV. PERSONAL WORKING IN THREE SHIFTS DURING THE SHORT SPAWNING SEASON.

THE OUTPUT OF THIS OPERATION IS ABOUT 10-12 MILLION FRY PER YEAR, WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED TO FEDERAL FISH HATCHERIES (MOSTLY TO NATCHITOCHES NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY WHERE THE FRY ARE REARED TO FINGERLING SIZE AND DISTRIBUTED ELSEWHERE).

THE BOOKER-FOWLER HATCHERY NEAR ALEXANDRIA

IN 1989, THE INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION RECOGNIZED THE LIMITATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S HATCHERY SYSTEM. THE ADVANCED PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAD ESTIMATED A FLORIDA LARGEMOUTH BASS PRODUCTION SHORTFALL OF 4,000,000 FINGERLINGS PER YEAR. THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED $1 MILLION FOR SITE SELECTION AND DESIGN OF A NEW HATCHERY TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL.

IN 1993, THE U.S. CONGRESS GRANTED A $12,375,000 REQUEST TO BUILD THE NEW HATCHERY AND IT WAS COMPLETED IN 1996.

THE OTHER THREE HATCHERIES (BEECHWOOD, LACOMBE, AND MONROE) WILL BE USED IN SUPPORT OF THE BOOKER FOWLER OPERATION BY MAINTAINING BROODSTOCK, REARING FINGERLINGS, AND PRODUCING FORAGE FISH.

THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY, LOCATED NEAR THE BEACHWOOD HATCHERY, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S PRIMARY FISH PRODUCTION FACILITY THIS HATCHERY WILL PRODUCE ALL FRY OTHER THAN STRIPERS AND HYBRED STRIPERS AND WILL PROVIDE MOST OF THE FINGERLING PRODUCTION FOR THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.

THIS FACILITY CONSISTS OF 55 ONE-ACRE REARING PONDS, 15 ONE-QUARTER ACRE BROODSTOCK PONDS, 3 ONE-THIRD ACRE ISOLATION PONDS, SIXTEEN CONCRETE RACEWAYS, 40 FIBERGLASS TROUGHS, AN EGG INCUBATION ROOM, AND A SPAWNING ROOM.

ALL PONDS ARE LINED WITH PLASTIC TO PREVENT PLANT GROWTH AND TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. WATER IS SUPPLIED FROM INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, A 2,250 ACRE ALIGOTROPHIC LAKE ADJOINING THE HATCHERY. FOUR WELLS SUPPLY WATER THAT MAY BE MIXED WITH THE LAKE WATER IN A SERIES OF FILTERS AND DEGASSING COLUMNS, DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC WATER NEEDS.

THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY DIFFERS FROM THE TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER IN ONE MAJOR WAY. ITS PRIME PURPOSE IS THE PRODUCTION OF FISH FRY AND FINGERLINGS; WHERE THE TEXAS FACILITY IS MORE OF A MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY (HATCHERY, EDUCATION, MUSEUM, HALL OF FAME, AND AMUSEMENT CENTER)

BOOKER FOWLER DOES HAVE A VISITORS AREA BUT IT IS CERTAINLY NOT A MAJOR THRUST OF ITS PURPOSES. THIS PURPOSE MAY BE DEVELOPED LATER BECAUSE OF ITS NEARNESS TO THE INDIAN CREEK RECREATION AREA.

ONE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE HATCHERIES IS THAT MOST SPAWNING RACEWAYS AT BOOKER FOWLER ARE UNCOVERED WHILE THE TEXAS FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY RACEWAYS ARE INDOORS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED

THE IMMEDIATELY PLANNED FISH PRODUCTION OF THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY WILL INVOLVE PRODUCTION OF FLORIDA BASS, THREE SPECIES OF CATFISH, AND FORAGE FISH . LATER, IN ABOUT 1999, THE PRODUCTION OF STURGEON AND PADDLEFISH WILL BEGIN.

. WITHIN FIVE YEARS THE FACILITY SHOULD BE PRODUCING 7 MILLION FLORIDA LARGEMOUTH BASS, 2 MILLION EACH OF CHANNEL AND BLUE CATFISH, 1 1/2 MILLION FLATHEAD CATFISH, 0.5 MILLION PADDLEFISH, 0.15 MILLION GULF STURGEON, AND MUCH OF THE FORAGE FISH.

THE ROLES OF THE ORIGINAL THREE LOUISIANA FISH HATCHERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FROM THEIR EARLIER ROLE OF SUPPLYING BASS AND BLUEGILLS FOR SMALL PONDS AND LAKES TO THE SUPPORT OF BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY WHICH WILL NOW PRODUCE ALL FRY FOR LOUISIANA EXCEPT STRIPER AND HYBRID STRIPER FRY (THESE WILL BE PRODUCED AT THE TOLEDO BEND RESEARCH STATION)

BEECHWOOD HATCHERY

THIS HATCHERY WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY SYSTEM. THIS HATCHERY IS LOCATED ONLY A FEW MILES FROM THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY.

THE HATCHERY WAS BUILT IN THE 1920-1930's, ORIGINATING WITH 10 ONE ACRE EARTHEN PONDS. IT WAS EXPANDED IN 1973 BY 13 ADDITIONAL EARTHEN PONDS, AND LATER A $2.3MILLION EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ADDED 16 NEW PLASTIC-LINED PONDS BRINGING THE TOTAL SURFACE ACREAGE OF THE PONDS TO 43 ACRES. THE PLASTIC LINING OF THE 16 NEW PONDS IS NOW USED IN ALL NEW OR RENOVATES PONDS. THIS LINER PROVIDES CONTROL OF VEGETATION, DISEASES AND PARASITES, BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN DEMAND AND ALLOWS PRECISE POND PREPARATION, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT.

THIS HATCHERY WILL NOW BE USED FOR BROOD STOCK MAINTENANCE AND FORAGE PRODUCTION.

THE PRESENT BROOD STOCK INVENTORY INCLUDES:

SPECIES NUMBER POUNDS

FLORIDA BASS 965 2,400

CHANNEL CATFISH 200 800

BLUE CATFISH 222 1,000

FLATHEAD CATFISH 46 320

KOI 70 105

BLUEGILL 400 100

GOLDEN SHINERS 16,000 160

MONROE FISH HATCHERY

IN 1930 THE SOUTHERN CARBON COMPANY DONATED 25.6 ACRES OF LAND FOR THIS HATCHERY. TWELVE 1-ACRE EARTHEN PONDS WERE CONSTRUCTED IN 1931. ELEVEN OF THESE WERE FOR PRODUCTION AND ONE WAS USED FOR A "SUMP" POND.

THIS HATCHERY HAS BEEN USED TO MAINTAIN AND SPAWN FLORIDA BASS AND TO REAR STRIPED AND HYBRID STRIPED BASS FINGERLINGS.

UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE HATCHERY WILL BE USED TO REAR FLORIDA BASS FINGERLINGS AND STRIPER AND HYBRID STRIPER BASS FINGERLINGS. SIX OF THE PONDS WILL BE USED TO REAR 600,000 FLORIDA BASS FINGERLINGS, AND FIVE OF THE PONDS WILL BE USED TO REAR 500,000 HYBRID STRIPE BASS FINGERLINGS.

THE FLORIDA FINGERLINGS ARE HARVESTED IN MAY AND THE HYBRID STRIPER FINGERLINGS ARE HARVESTED IN JUNE. AFTER THE FISH ARE HARVESTED, THE PONDS ARE ALLOWED TO DRY FOR 15-30 DAYS.

FOUR OF THE PONDS WILL BE USED TO REAR BLUE AND CHANNEL CATFISH FINGERLINGS FROM THE FRY RECEIVED FROM THE BOOKER FOWLER HATCHERY. THESE FINGERLINGS WILL BE HARVESTED IN NOVEMBER.

LONG RANGE PLANS INCLUDE GROWOUT OF PADDLEFISH AND STURGEON FROM FRY PRODUCED AT BOOKER FOWLER.

LACOMBE FISH HATCHERY

THIS SIX-POND HATCHERY WAS BUILT IN 1931 ON LAND DONATED BY THE STATE AND WAS RENOVATED 1972-1974. IT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF STRIPED BASS IN LOUISIANA.

THE HATCHERY WILL NOW BE USED AS A FLORIDA BASS FINGERLING (PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2) GROWOUT FACILITY.

Phase 2 fingerlings are fish that are returned to the rearing ponds after the initial harvest and held throughout the remaining growing season. Future brood stock are selected from these fish.

THE HATCHERY WILL ALSO BE USED AS A RESEARCH SITE FOR ANADROMOUS FISHES , INCLUDING GULF RACE STRIPED BASS AND GULF STURGEON. (Anadromous fish live in salt water and swim upstream to spawn in fresh water, where-as catadromous fish live in fresh water and swim downstream to spawn in salt water.)

BECAUSE OF ITS NEARNESS TO NEW ORLEANS, THE EDUCATION STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES OFTEN USE THE FACILITY AS AN AQUATIC EDUCATION CENTER.

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER (T F F C)

THE NEW TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER IS LOCATED AT ATHENS, TEXAS. THE FACILITY IS A MULTI-PURPOSE $18 MILLION FACILITY CREATED FOR SUPPORTING THE FRESH WATER FISHING INDUSTRY.

THE PURPOSES OF THE T F F C ARE TO PROVIDE:

* A HATCHERY FOR FLORIDA LARGE MOUTH BASS AND OTHER SPECIES OF FRESHWATER FISH

* A LABORATORY FOR THE STUDY OF THE GENETIC QUALITIES THAT ARE CONDUCIVE TO THE PRODUCTION OF LUNKER BASS.

* FACILITIES TO INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC, AND ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO THE ENJOYMENT OF FISHING AND TO THE NEED TO CONSERVE AND PROPAGATE OUR VALUABLE FISHERIES RESOURCE.

* TO PROVIDE A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL PLACE TO INTRODUCE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE SPORT OF FISHING.

* TO ACT AS AN INFORMATION SOURCE BY DISSEMINATING THE

INFORMATION GAINED FROM THE RESEARCH DONE AT THE FACILITY.

* TO PROVIDE A MEMORIAL TO THE GAME WARDENS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THE PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT AND "A HALL OF FAME " FOR THE SPORT OF FISHING .

AS A HATCHERY

THE 24,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL PRODUCE 5 TO 7 MILLION FLORIDA BASS FINGERLINGS AND 2,000 BROOD STOCK ANNUALLY. THESE WILL BE USED TO HELP STOCK THE 4,800 SQ. MILES OF INLAND FRESH WATERS OF TEXAS AND SUPPORT THE $5 BILLION SPORT FISHING INDUSTRY

THE HATCHERY HAS SIX 74' LONG RACEWAYS TO SERVE AS SPAWNING TANKS FOR BASS AND CHANNEL FISH, REARING OF PADDLE FISH, AND HOLDING OF RAINBOW TROUT. THESE INDOOR RACEWAYS PROVIDE GREATER CONTROL OVER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAN THAT PROVIDED BY REARING PONDS.

AN INCUBATION ROOM CONTAINS CYLINDRICAL TANKS FOR HOLDING EGGS, NEWLY HATCHED FRY AND LUNKER BROOD STOCK THIS FACILITY PROVIDES A DISEASE FREE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED ROOM TO ASSURE OPTIMAL GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF THE FISH.

WATER IS TREATED AND RECIRCULATED TO OPTIMIZE PRODUCTION AND CONSERVE WATER.

THERE ARE 50 PLASTIC - LINED PONDS CONSTRUCTED TO PRODUCE 5 TO 7 MILLION BASS FINGERLINGS AS WELL AS LARGE NUMBERS OF CATFISH AND OTHER FRESHWATER FISH.

AS A LABORATORY

THE LABORATORY AREA WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE GENETIC AND HABITAT INFLUENCES ON THE PRODUCTION OF LARGE BASS. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH BIOLOGIST AND CONSERVATIONIST ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, DONATED BY TFFC CONTRIBUTORS, WILL ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO IDENTIFY SPECIES AND STRAINS OF FISH AND PERFORM GENETIC RESEARCH OF BASS.. THE GENETIC TESTING WILL UTILIZE RANDOMLY AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA TECHNIQUE TESTING. BLOOD EXTRACTED FROM THE FISHES' GILL WILL BE TESTED THROUGH POLYMORPHIC CHAIN REACTION.

THE LAB WILL ALSO BE USED TO ANALYZE WATER QUALITY AND MONITOR POND PLANKTON BLOOM.

THE LAB WILL UTILIZE ELECTROPHORESIS TECHNIQUES COUPLED WITH HISTOCHEMICAL STAINING TO IDENTIFY SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES. HERE A MICRO-SURGICAL NEEDLE IS USED TO REMOVE A SAMPLE OF LIVER TISSUE. THIS SAMPLE IS PLACED IN A GEL MEDIUM FOR ELECTROPHORESIS ANALYSIS.

THE ELECTROPHORESIS USES THE PRINCIPAL THAT THE ELECTRICALLY CHARGED AMINO ACIDS THAT MAKE UP THE PROTEIN CAN BE SEPARATED BY THE ELECTRIC FIELD.

THE VISITORS CENTER

THE VISITORS CENTER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FUN AND EDUCATION FOR 400,000-500,000 VISITORS PER YEAR.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AQUARIUMS HOUSING SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH. SOME HAVE A SINGLE LARGE INDIVIDUAL FISH LIKE A GIANT GAR, A LARGE CATFISH, OR A LARGE PADDLEFISH AND SOME HAVE SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH ON DISPLAY.

A 50-SEAT THEATER/AQUARIUM SHOWS A FILM ON TEXAS FISHING AND CONSERVATION. IT ALSO DISPLAYS A HUGH 26,000 GALLON TANK WITH A DIVER WHO FEEDS AND DISCUSSES SEVERAL TYPES OF TEXAS FISH. THE AUDIENCE CAN QUESTION THE DIVER ABOUT THE FISH WHILE HE HAND FEEDS AND DISCUSSES THE VARIOUS FISH. HE TELLS ABOUT THE HABITAT, HABITS AND LIFE SPAN ETC. OF LUNKER BASS, CATFISH, SUNFISH AND OTHER SPECIES.

ANHEUSER BUSCH CONTRIBUTED $500,000 TO DEVELOP THE THEATER/AQUARIUM. THIS COMPANY ALSO CONTRIBUTED $2 MILLION TO THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT IN 1993 TO PROTECT BOTTOM LAND HARDWOOD, INCREASE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASE HUNTER EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENHANCE MINORITY STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS.

THERE IS ALSO A 2-ACRE CASTING POND FOR THE VISITORS TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AND CATCH SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF RAINBOW TROUT.

THE POND (ZEBCO CASTING POND) WAS BUILT WITH FUNDS CONTRIBUTED BY ZEBCO, WHO ALSO CONTRIBUTED THE FISHING TACKLE USED BY THE VISITORS. ALL FISH ARE RELEASED INTO THE POND.

OTHER PONDS INCLUDE A 25,000 GALLON REPLICA OF A TYPICAL TEXAS FARM POND. STANDING ON AN OBSERVATION PLATFORM A VISITOR CAN LOOK ACROSS THE SURFACE, SEEING FALLEN LOGS AND A ROW BOAT ON THE BANK. THE POND IS SURROUNDED BY THE TYPICAL VEGETATION SEEN AROUND TEXAS PONDS.

FROM A VIEWING DECK BELOW WATER LEVEL A VISITOR CAN VIEW CATFISH, WESTERN MOSQUITO FISH, BLUEGILLS AND SHINERS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT.

THE POND WATER IS FILTERED AND PROVIDES A CLEAR VIEW OF THE PONDS UNDERWATER STRUCTURE AND YOU CAN EVEN SEE THE SPAWNING BEDS OF THE FISH.

THERE IS A MUSEUM OF FISHING EQUIPMENT, A MEMORIAL TO WARDENS FALLEN IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND A FISHING HALL OF FAME.

FUNDING OF THE TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER

THE TFFC WAS A JOINT VENTURE OF:

* US FISH AND WILDLIFE SPORTFISH RESTORATION PROGRAM

* TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

* TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, INLAND FISHERIES DIV.

* ATHENS' MUNICIPAL WATER AUTHORITY

* OTHER SUPPORTERS INCLUDING:

ATHENS' CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ATHENS' UTILITIES FUND

ATHENS' GENERAL FUND

DOW CHEMICAL

FIFTY-ONE PRIVATE DONERS GAVE A TOTAL OF $3,374,000 IN GIFTS THAT VARIED FROM $500,00 TO AS LITTLE AS $25.

THE FEDERAL GRANT OF $16 MILLION WAS COMPETED FOR BY SEVERAL LARGER COMMUNITIES, BUT THE THING THAT WON THE COMPETITION FOR ATHENS WAS A DONATION OF $4 MILLION BY THE ATHENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THIS PRIVATE CORPORATION WAS WORKING WITH FUNDING FROM A 1/2 CENT SALES TAX VOTED FOR JUST SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY AS THE TFFC.

THE T F F C IS LOOKED UPON AS A PROJECT THAT WILL BRING A LARGE ECONOMIC GROWTH TO ATHENS, AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE JUST ONE OF SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE PLANNED TO BRING TOURIST TO THE ATHENS AREA. CURRENT THINKING IS THAT UP TO 500,000 VISITORS WILL VISIT THE FACILITY ANNUALLY.

THE MAIN THRUST NOW IS TO EXPAND THE SOURCE OF ATTRACTIONS IN ATHENS TO ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO STAY OVERNIGHT. THIS WILL INCREASE THE SPENDING OF VISITORS FROM $50.00 PER DAY TO OVER $170.00 PER DAY.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

IT WILL BE ASSUMED THAT ANY HATCHERY FOR TOLEDO BEND WILL BE DIRECTED AT THE PRODUCTION OF FLORIDA LARGEMOUTH BASS.

THE PRODUCTION OF THESE FISH WILL INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:

* COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BROOD FISH

* THE SPAWING OF THE ADULT BROOD FISH

* THE COLLECTION AND INCUBATION (HATCHING) OF THE EGGS

* THE COLLECTION, CARE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE FRY

* THE REARING COLLECTION, CARE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE FINGERLINGS

* THE PROVISIONING OF FORAGE FOR BROOD STOCK, FRY, AND FINGERLINGS

SOME, OR ALL, OF THESE ACTIVITIES MAY BE SELECTED FOR THE TOLEDO BEND AREA.

THE FACILITIES (AND FINANCING) REQUIRED WOULD BE DETERMINED BY WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE SELECTED.

SINCE ALL FISH HATCHERIES SUPPORTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE CREATED THROUGH THE STATE FISHERIES PROGRAMS, THE ACTIVITIES WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO BE ADMINISTERS BY THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

THE INTERACTION OF ANY TOLEDO BEND HATCHERY WITH OTHER FEDERAL OR STATE HATCHERIES WOULD REQUIRE THAT A U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE COORDINATING OFFICER BE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING, AND IMPLIMENTATATION OF THE PROGRAM.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HATCHERY ON TOLEDO BEND MUST BE CONSIDERED. SINCE THE OBJECTIVE IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FLORIDA BASS IN TOLEDO BEND FOR THE FUTURE, SOME OTHER ACTIONS MAY BE MORE PRACTICAL, SUCH AS:

* CLOSING THE SEASON ON BASS DURING SPAWNING PERIODS.

* IMPLEMENTING A CATCH-AND-RELEASE PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.

* RESTRICTING FISHING IN CERTAIN AREAS SET ASIDE FOR SPAWNING DURING CERTAIN PERIODS

* PROVIDE IMPROVED SPAWNING AREAS BY CREATING THE PROPER SHORELINE CONDITIONS SUITABLE FOR SPAWNING

* OTHERS