REPORT DOCUMENTS ECONOMIC IMPACT OF U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FISH HATCHERIES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a report documenting the tremendous economic benefits of its Southeastern trout fishery program to area communities.

The report, based on work by economist Jim Caudill of the Fish and Wildlife Service, examined six trout-producing National Fish Hatcheries across the Southeast, and found that each dollar spent by the hatcheries resulted in $109 to $141 in economic benefits to Southern states.

"This study shows that the activities of these hatcheries are having a tremendous positive impact on the economies of communities in and around important fishing areas," Sam D. Hamilton, the Service