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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2004
REP. STILLER TO SUPPORT NEW HATCHERY
State Representative Bonner Stiller says he is ready to lead the effort to build and fully develop a saltwater hatchery in Southeastern North Carolina, a project that would include several existing educational centers in Stiller’s home region of Brunswick County.
Rep. Stiller commented recently, “There is an overriding need to do more to protect the state’s marine fisheries. With the recent decision to create a new saltwater fishing license, this is the right time to get proactive about rebuilding fishery stocks and learning more about these great resources.”
Stiller also said the idea for a new hatchery is being fully supported by the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina (CCA NC), the state chapter of a national organization founded to protect marine fisheries around the country.
Executive Director Will Morgan of the CCA NC commented, “We are proud to get behind the hatchery idea and believe it should be tied into the fine marine biology programs already in place in the southeastern part of the state.”
Morgan said that CCA NC member Tim Barefoot, a former commercial fisherman and charter captain, first came up with the idea for a hatchery. Now a director with a North Carolina-based fishing tackle company, Barefoot contacted Rep. Stiller and the project went into motion, according to Morgan.
Barefoot said he will apply for a Sea Grant to help fund the hatchery, along with applying for money from the new Salt Water Fishing License Fund, dedicated to marine resource enhancement and fisheries management. CCA NC will also be raising funds to support the project.
Morgan pointed out that South Brunswick High School is already operating a nationally acclaimed program for marine biology and that Brunswick Community College has a similar program in nearby Bolivia.
The University of North Carolina in Wilmington has its own marine biology degree program, and a marine laboratory staffed by noted professors from around the world.
North Carolina State University is also widely recognized as an authority in hatcheries and has worked with other countries on fish stock enhancement programs.
Morgan said, “These fine programs provide the perfect setting on the North Carolina coast to place a hatchery to aid in restocking coastal fish. We have conducted studies that indicate North Carolina is a prime candidate for stock enhancement.”
A meeting has already been held with N.C. Department of Wildlife management to discuss how the department’s existing hatchery was developed and how that experience can assist the new project. Officials are also collecting information about successful marine hatcheries in other states, especially Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
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