Jan 09

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service January 2009

Neosho National Fish Hatchery Newsletter Current Events in Fish Production Sharing the Wealth Missouri Department of Conservation’s Roaring River Trout Park serves as a valuable source of recreation and revenue to visitors all over the country. The trout park relies on the adjoining state hatchery for its rainbow trout supply. Due to recent shortcomings, Roaring River State Hatchery called on us twice this month to share our surplus fish. Fortunate to be able to answer their call, Neosho donated 4,500 rainbows averaging 3.7 inches in length and 17,800 rainbows averaging 2.5 inches. We hope their production will continue to improve, and were glad to be of assistance.

tanks holding our young of the year. These 2,227 pallids currently average 7.5 inches in length and enjoy an average temperature of 69°F regardless of the ice/rain/wind outside.

The pallid juveniles are fed using the feed association method.

The 1,100 pallids on station from the 2007 spawning season are also experiencing relatively consistent growth. These larger juveniles are 12.5 inches in length on average. Supplied only well water, the tanks holding these older pallids remain unheated since our well water temperatures remain mild throughout the year, occasionally dropping to 49°F at their coldest.

Community Activities Emergency Assistance!

Roaring River’s staff arrives to pick up our surplus fish.

Making Us Proud Despite fluctuating temperatures typical of our winters here in Neosho, MO, we have tried to maintain stable conditions for our endangered pallid sturgeon. The building in which our youngest sturgeon are held only receives spring water, which can drop to freezing temperatures without heat. To boost growth and trigger active feeding, we heat all nine

This month, Assistant Manager Rod May and Terry Cook of Missouri Department of Conservation’s Forestry Office shared ideas on how to convert the property surrounding the hatchery’s springs into a discovery area for environmental education. While surveying the property, Terry received a call to investigate a wildfire that was burning city property. Due to the urgency of the call, they immediately drove to the scene of the fire. Because additional fires had also spread in other areas of Neosho, this wildfire was severely understaffed. Rod and Terry

managed to hold back the fire until a heavy equipment operator arrived on the scene with a dozer. The operator took control of the rescue effort by creating a fire line around the area that was still aflame. Although this is not typically part of his current job description, Rod received basic and advanced fire training while beginning his career in the Refuges and Wildlife Division of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He was classified as a federal firefighter. -Rod May

Hatchery Improvements Just in Case After much anticipation, we finally have a back-up generator in place for our new sturgeon building. Its function is to supply back-up support to our well water and keep our walk-in freezer in operation during a power outage. The automatic start-up feature eliminates the need for staff to be on-scene in an emergency, which saves us time.

Generator is ready in case of an emergency.

The generator is a diesel 235KW 3 Phase 480vt “big green

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Neosho National Fish Hatchery Newsletter machine”. We installed a cover and fuel tank to keep inclement weather at bay. Within a week or two, the initial start-up will take place to ensure that everything is in working order. -Jeff Messens

Staff Meetings and Training Showing the Ropes Assistant Manager Rod May and Lead Biologist Jaime Pacheco gave a demonstration on truck disinfection at the Missouri Aquaculture Bio-security Workshop in Jefferson City. The 85 attendees to the workshop included staff from the Missouri Department of Conservation, USDA, Lincoln University, and private fish farms. The event covered the basics on fish health, farm inspections and certifications, invasive species prevention, and trans-state fish shipping policies.

disinfection materials needed and how they can be obtained were also shared. The workshop allowed us to rub elbows with members of the aquaculture field in Missouri. It also reiterated the importance of doing everything we can to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species. -Jaime Pacheco

January 2009

Sturgeon meeting attendees shared updated information.

Keeping Our Books in Order Administrative Technician Heather Williams attended the Financial Fundamentals for Administrative Professionals in Shepherdstown, WV this month. The course consisted of learning Federal Financial System budget allocation, appropriations and limits of funding types as well as other financial topics. After attending this training and completing the corresponding exam, Heather plans to return to the National Conservation Training Center to attend the second portion of this training series, Financial Transaction Processing. -Heather Williams

-Dave Hendrix

Sturgeon Work Continues…

Jaime Pacheco shares how we disinfect a distribution unit.

Neosho staff had the opportunity to demonstrated the how’s and why’s of our fish health prevention protocol and HACCP plans. Staff showed how to maintain a disease-free environment by disinfecting stocking equipment and distribution units. Details on the

This month, hatchery manager David Hendrix and assistant manager Rod May attended the Middle Basin Pallid Sturgeon Work Group winter meeting in Blue Springs, MO. Held at the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, the meeting brought together biologists, resource managers, and interest groups across four states and 11 agencies and universities. The meeting focused on all aspects of pallid sturgeon recovery progress and planning.

Unless otherwise stated, articles are written, edited, and assembled by Melissa Cheung.

Please feel free to visit us at 520 E Park Street, Neosho, MO 64850. Have questions? Call us at 417-451-0554.