Small Fry – Hatching a Greater Appreciation for Our Coastal Fisheries

A splash breaks the water’s surface as a familiar tail attempts to escape into the deeper safety of the pond. On the other end of the line, determination sets in on the young angler’s face, fighting for their prize catch. Welcome to a Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) marine hatchery fishing outreach event, one of the many ways for the community to learn about TPWD’s conservation mission along the Gulf Coast. While the marine hatcheries are primarily concentrated on stock enhancement for species of the “Texas Slam” – Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Southern Flounder – they also serve to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the processes involved, bringing people closer to the fish and the reasons we protect our natural resources.

Texas Parks and Wildlife operates three marine fish hatcheries strategically located along the coast of Texas: The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi, the Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station in Palacios, and Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. Annually, the hatcheries release around 20 million Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Southern Flounder fingerlings (1.5-inch-long juvenile fish) into Texas coastal waters to augment the natural supply of juveniles and to help optimize fishery harvests. In addition to year-round stock enhancement, hatcheries also play an important role in community outreach and educational events, which fishing licenses and equipment sales help to fund.

Educational outreach conducted by TPWD hatcheries aims to engage the public and create awareness of our coastal ecosystems, fishing, and hatchery operations. At the CCA Marine Development Center (MDC) in Corpus Christi, staff give behind-the-scenes tours to the public and conduct fishing events for school children. The MDC hatchery and Sea Center Texas host many fishing events throughout the year to get more people hooked on fishing and into the outdoors. These events are geared towards teaching kids how to fish and giving parents the knowledge to confidently take their kids fishing in our coastal waters. In addition to the time spent fishing, participants receive a tour of the facility, learn about what it takes to care for broodstock, rearing fish in ponds to be released into our local bay systems, and the history of the stock enhancement program. Visiting a hatchery might lend a newfound appreciation for Texas' sport fish and introduce students to new and interesting job opportunities they might not have considered or known existed otherwise.

As someone who loved fishing as a kid but rarely had the chance growing up, I’m thankful that families and their children have this opportunity. The first time I came to the MDC was for the annual CCA Kid Fish Tournament as a volunteer with the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Anglers Fishing Club. Watching the amazed looks on the kids’ faces was so much fun as they brought in fish as big as themselves after a long fight. Some are eager to carefully hold the fish and take pictures, while others are more apprehensive and need some convincing. Kids of all ages were delighted with their catch. Whether they had been fishing before or had never cast a line, we saw many young anglers created that day. Now, as an intern at MDC, I have experienced the other side of the outreach, helping conduct facility tours and fishing events over the summer. The best part for me is when children and adults alike enjoy the program together. It brings back memories of times when I was able to fish with my family. I’m happy to see how proud they are of catching something and to have played a part in helping encourage future conservation-minded master anglers.

With recreational fishing increasing in popularity along the Texas coast, it’s especially important to get the younger generations outdoors and on the water with conservation in mind, but visiting your local hatchery isn’t just for novice anglers. Folks of all backgrounds might be curious about fish hatcheries, and it can be a great way to learn about how our marine stock enhancement works. Next time you’re visiting the Texas coast, come check out the nearest hatchery to see for yourself how anglers can play an integral part in being stewards of our coastal ecosystems!