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Recent Fish Stock Loss Will Affect Stocking Activities in Several Counties
Richmond, VA — A recent equipment malfunction in combination with historically low water supply due to the drought and seasonal pathogens have resulted in the loss of approximately 130,000 trout at Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery.
Coursey Springs, a cold-water hatchery, raises rainbow, brown, and brook trout which are stocked in 72 waters across 11 counties including Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Fauquier, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren. This loss will impact stocking activities in trout waters across the counties listed above. This will result in reductions in the number of fish stocked, though no scheduled stockings will be canceled. The Department will divert any excess trout from the other cold-water hatcheries to supplement stocking efforts in the affected area.
The equipment failure was a recirculation pump which shut off overnight. The reason for the failure is unknown at this time, but it led to reduced water flow and oxygen levels within the fish tanks. The recirculation pump is crucial during times of low flow from the natural spring water source. The additional stress on the fish made them particularly susceptible to pathogens in the natural water source.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources operates nine fish hatcheries including four warm-water facilities and five cold-water facilities. These hatcheries produce close to five-million fish, providing angling opportunities across the state.