so why not? Sounds like a good idea to me.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
The main question is whether or not they can be raised in a controlled situation. That is, can they be raised in pens at a reasonable cost and can they be expected to survive at a good rate once they’re released? Obviously there are farm-raised freshwater trout, but I would think that things are very different with specks.
They can, and they are, at DNR Ft. Johnson. Enjoyed seeing them in the breeding tank last summer. More difficult than redfish to breed, but it has been successful and if I recall they weren’t releasing the fry directly into the rivers but in retention ponds (?) maybe to see if it was successful. Don’t hold me to that, but it was something along those lines.
DNR dudes, can you throw us an update?
If ever you get a chance, the Ft. Johnson facility is an amazing thing to see. Great men and women with conservation in their souls working for very little to make what we enjoy as enjoyable as possible. With a budget that has shrunk to the rediculum over the past 10 years. THANKS DNR FT J!
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
Nice vinman, that is good to hear. Can you just go there and tour the facility? I live right near it and would really love to see it.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
My guess is, no. I was fortunate to know someone there. You might contact them and see, I’m not sure. They had 2 of 8 (I think it was eight total) with trout, the others reds. I hope they convert some over as reds seem to be doing quite well and trout are sketchy. Thankfully they recover better than many species but the more help they get, the better.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
IMO stocking should only be used as a very last resort. Good management of the existing resource is a much better way to go.
Agreed, but management could come to legislation, and legislation could lead to an extreme that is tougher to undo than do. I feel DNR has done a fine job of both with trout. Encourage angler cooperation to help the species during tough times while doing whats within their capabilities to build the population.
“Management”, in terms of restrictions, scares me. Very much. Any time we can police ourselves without restrictions or restraints imposed upon us we are better in the long run. Not saying you’re encouraging legislation TheIslander, I just hate “the Man” taking a stab at what we are cabable of doing without him.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
The politics of management is a can of worms I will not open. In many cases it’s what leads to stocking programs being implemented.
Islander: So, why the hate for stocking?
I’m not talking about the antiquated trout/salmonid stockings done as mitigation for the construction of dams … or the intentional stocking of game fish in places where they don’t belong just to create a fishery (stripers/hybrids). While these practices may make for good fishing (sometimes), they simply aren’t responsible and self-sustaining. What I mean is, what’s the problem with a genuine, modern-day, science-based stock enhancement program? That’s essentially what the OP was getting at – stock enhancement of specs due to recent acute population decline, right? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not debating whether or not specs should be stocked, I just wanna know what your beef is with the practice of stock enhancement. You freely dismiss the idea with your negative opinion about it, but I’d like to hear the reasons for such a reaction. Maybe you could even specifically identify the problems that you envision resulting from stock enhancement of seatrout that is done in a responsible manner … like if it was modeled after the DNR’s redfish stocking program. Thanks!!
BTW- no, I don’t work for DNR (never have, and they wouldn’t hire me anyway). I’m just a concerned fisherman who’s trying to learn as much as possible about the subject. I think maybe I have a different stance on this subject than you, but I am just trying to be well-informed.
“Hate” is a strong word. I merely stated an opinion.
My basic problem with stocking boils down to this: we can’t do better than Mother Nature. Funds and time spent on stocking could be used for environment enhancement or restoration, research, etc.
My fault on the miscommunication, Islander … I didn’t mean “hate” in the “strong word” sense, but rather in the informal application commonly used to describe someone’s negativity.
Anyway, I understand … a closed mind is a terrible thing to waste. Sorry for wasting your time, and mine.
Just because someone has a different opinion doesn’t mean they have a closed mind.
A question was asked. I answered. If you have something to add great. We can always agree to disagree.
Vinman, thanks for the kind words about our programs. You are correct that research is currently underway for stocking spotted seatrout. South Carolina takes what is known as “a Responsible Approach” to stock enhancement. This means that we take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of the existing population both before and after stocking events. For example, we are currently evaluating the genetic population structure of wild specks along the South Carolina coast before we release any hatchery reared spotted seatrout. If trout in Winyah Bay are genetically distinct from trout in Charleston Harbor, we can’t use broodstock from Charleston to stock Winyah Bay or our stocking could negatively impact the genetic fitness of that population. Genetic management is a key component to our research. It’s why we only use wild caught broodstock and why we replace 1/3 of our red drum brood fish every year. We try very hard to avoid selecting for any specific traits such as faster growth or disease resistance. So far it appears as if there is only a small degree of genetic structure among specks along the SC coast. It would not be wise to release fish from Little River broodstock into Port Royal Sound, but we see no problems using fish caught in the Wando to produce fry that are stocked in the Ashley or vice versa.
In addition to managing genetic structure, SCDNR wants to be able to evaluate the impact of stocking events. We want to have an idea of how well the hatchery released fish survive in the wild. The first step in this process is an evaluation of production techniques. Last year, we were able to spawn wild caught spotted seatrout broodstock and rear them in outdoor nursery ponds at the Waddell Center, however we had two difficulties with the harvests. The first is that, unlike red drum and cobia, spotted seatrout are very fragile. Handling seatrout fry at 30 days old in order to harvest, count, and transport them causes a lot of damage to their slime layer which allows for post-secondary b
Thanks Karl. Very informative.
Great, informative post Karl. Thanks for taking the time.
Karl, thanks. I apologize if I overspoke or misinformed anyone with my vague interpretation of what I enjoyed witnessing at your facility.
As a family that enjoys the bounties our waters hold, we are constantly amazed and grateful for the efforts DNR puts forth on our behalf, especially in spite of the economic and political road blocks it must hurdle.
Left to our own devices, I’m sure man could devistate any number of species out of pure ignorance, not greed. Thanks to intelligent management I’m certain my grandchildren will enjoy an even better fishery than we enjoy today.
Sincerest thanks.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
Excellent information. Thanks for the response. I’ve always thought the SC DNR has got it together better than any other state I fish. Posts like that one prove it 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Karl,
Thanks so much for the info on your research activities. I found it extremely interesting and informative. Thank you to you and all the DNR staff for all you do. We appreciate it!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
I figured one of you guys would show up sooner or later. Thanks for the info, despite the negativity of some!
Oh boy, Islander … that sure sounds like a waste of time and money! Sorry, I couldn’t help it.
Couldn’t say since it’s nowhere near stock enhancement at this point. But consider this: by the time all the research is done and the difficulties are overcome so stocking can begin, the decline caused by 2 cold winters will have balanced out naturally.