Louisiana is starting a pilot program to stock hatchery-raised redfish, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, in response to the sharp decline in the redfish population. While officials don’t expect stocking to solve the population decline, the program aims to gain insights into redfish behavior and survivability through genetic testing.
The initial phase involves releasing 10,000 hatchery-raised redfish in Calcasieu Lake, with the parent fish coming from the same area to ensure genetic match. Although the program won’t replace other conservation efforts like tighter catch limits, it could provide valuable information for future conservation strategies.
Images/Source: NOLA.com
