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2/28/2007
Compiled by: Bob Wattendorf and Rick Stout

Fish Busters' Bulletin - The Florida Bass Conservation Center Is Now Open

Florida’s long-awaited, new Florida Bass Conservation Center is now a reality.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) dedicated the center on Feb. 23. The center’s mission is “to conduct and utilize essential research to optimize production, stocking and recruitment of Florida largemouth bass to facilitate integrated conservation management of Florida's freshwater fisheries resources."

In 2002, officials recognized the FWC’s antiquated fish hatchery at Richloam in Sumter County had to be replaced if Florida hoped to retain its “Fishing Capital of the World” title, at least with regard to largemouth bass.

Richloam, one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the country (in business since April 1965), did much more with much less than many of the nation's 21st century facilities. However, it placed a major drain on the aquifer, used minimal recycling and was plagued by various fish predators that depleted production.

To solve this dilemma, FWC’s Ed Moyer proposed a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to propagation and conservation of Florida's famous largemouth bass – a distinct subspecies of the largemouth black bass.

Florida is home to the Suwannee and shoal basses, unique southern adaptations of the black bass that are very limited in range and need careful management to ensure their healthy futures.

Moyer, who, at the time, was director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries, envisioned a new climate-controlled rearing facility to give biologists an opportunity to spawn bass and other freshwater species at the most opportune time to provide effective stocking throughout the state of appropriately-sized fish.

New sheltered raceways contribute to rearing significantly more fish in a more cost-effective manner than the old hatchery's dirt pond method. This technique also helps conserve water, minimize predation from birds, assure good water quality and maximize feed conversion which saves money and protects the environment.

The FBCC also plans to conduct a genetics program to ensure future stocking programs optimally benefit native populations which is critical to maintain the integrity of native Florida bass, Suwannee bass and Shoal bass. A dedicated lab and biologist specializing in warmwater fish health will further ensure the FBCC meets its goal “to produce healthy, genetically fit Florida largemouth bass and other freshwater fishes at the appropriate time, in sizes and numbers to effectively and efficiently support freshwater fisheries conservation projects.”

Near-future plans call for a comprehensive library, publicly accessible Internet-based data center, and facilities to allow scientists from universities, various government agencies and the private sector to conduct state-of-the-art research. In addition to scientific information, the data base will include angler use and success and bass growth rate data for various lakes so resident anglers, tourists and tournament sponsors may more effectively plan fishing trips.

Ultimately, Darrell Scovell, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, anticipates developing a public education complex and visitors center. In addition to educational displays, trails and observation facilities, fishing ponds and instructions are planned at the site which is on Division of Forestry property.

Forestry officials may share in outreach efforts (pertaining to silviculture and land management), as well as Florida State Parks since the facility is at the nexus of several state and federal recreational trails, including the FWC’s own Great Florida Birding Trail. The tourism and outreach potential greatly enhances FWC’s abilities to explain our conservation stewardship message and the role of recreational fishing and other outdoor activities to the public.

The Sunshine State is recognized as the "Fishing Capital of the World" based on a number of factors, including Information provided by the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation which shows Florida as the No. 1 recreational fishing state in terms of number of anglers, number of angling days, direct economic impact, jobs supported and many other important factors.

For instance, Florida attracts 3.1 million anglers, who fish 48.4 million days, spend $4.1 billion and support 80,000 jobs. The next highest state is California which has 2.4 million anglers, 27.7 million days, $2.4 billion and 43,000 jobs. Nationally, and in Florida's fresh waters, black bass are the most popular fish sought after by anglers. In Florida, bass anglers spent 12.2 million days pursuing their sport in 2001.
 

The FBCC was paid for in part by a federal State Wildlife Grant together with state matching funds, and a Rural Economic Development Initiative grant. FISHPRO Consulting Engineers and Scientists developed architectural and engineering plans for the FBCC. Private funding will be used for the visitors center and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida will collect donations.

Glen Lau, the preeminent bass photographer and cinematographer in the world, has offered his art (décor prints, videos or DVDs) for use at the FBCC. He gave the Wildlife Foundation of Florida permission to sell his creations – including “Bigmouth” and “Bigmouth Forever” videos – with the profits going to the FBCC. (Go to www.WildlifeFoundationofFlorida.org to order).

Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Updates for more Fish Buster columns.