Exploring Fish Hatcheries
Overview:
Students will research how fish hatcheries work. Students will then research various fresh and salt-water fish to determine if a hatchery could be successful for them.
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
- …explain the functions of fish hatcheries
- …understand and explain the different purposes of fish hatcheries, such as replenishing game fish, helping to maintain sustainable fisheries, and wild stock conservation.
- …understand the research involved in successfully spawning fish in an artificial environment
- …weigh the pros and cons of fish hatcheries
- …understand the life cycles and needs of certain fish species
Materials:
Various research materials on hatcheries and fish species, such as:
Suggested fish species to explore:
- Red Drum
- Rainbow Trout
- Pacific Salmon (any species)
- Paddlefish
- Catfish
- Herring
Procedure:
- Research fish hatcheries. Students should understand the basics of what a fish hatchery is, what they do, and how they work. What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? Have students recognize that there may be genetic, ecological, or behavioral problems with captive-bred fish. What environmental conditions have to be studied and simulated for a hatchery to successfully spawn fish?
- Research the different fish. Have students study their life cycles, habitats, migration patterns, etc…
- Organize information and present to class. Are any of the fish threatened or endangered? Are any in need of hatchery programs for commercial demand, to restock game populations, or to restore populations of endangered species? Can their life cycle, habitat, and environmental conditions be simulated successfully in an artificial environment for successful spawning? If so, how could these conditions be simulated?
Extensions:
- Construct a model of a fish hatchery
- Calculate the cost to run a fish hatchery. How can they affect local economies?
- Do an environmental impact survey of fish hatcheries on local communities and wild stock of fish species.
For similar and fully developed lessons on Fish Hatcheries:
http://www.marine.usf.edu/pjocean/packets/sp03/sp03u3.pdf (Requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader)
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