The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the multi-agency Higgins Eye Mussel Recovery Team invite the news media to observe first-hand ongoing efforts to recover the endangered Higgins Eye pearly mussel between 10 a.m. and noon, Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery in Genoa, Wis.
What You’ll See!
Female mussels collected from different areas of the Mississippi River drainage will be brought to the Genoa NFH and impelled to release thousands of their juvenile young, known as glochidia. You’ll learn the critically important role popular game fish (walleye and large mouth bass are two examples) play in mussel reproduction. Biologists involved in this interesting and unique process to recover mussels will be available for interviews. You’ll also be able to take photos of both biologists and mussels as they work together to recover this amazing species.
What’s in it for you?
Freshwater mussels spend their lives beneath the surface of rivers and streams. Sportsmen—especially anglers—should be concerned about the ongoing decline of freshwater mussels in the Midwest. Mussels serve as “canaries in the coal mine,” important indicators of the health of ecosystems where they are located. Mussels filter food from the water as currents move water by them. Poor or deteriorating water quality can reduce their food supply, and also reduce fish populations, fish the mussels need for reproduction. Generally speaking, in areas where mussels are plentiful, so are fish! So, caring for mussels in our rivers has an impact on all aquatic life, and affects the resource-oriented activities that add to the quality of life in the upper Midwest.
But Wait, There’s More!
Genoa National Fish Hatchery is not just about mussels. Established in 1932, the hatchery rears 23 species of fish to aid restoration of threatened and endangered species, supports fish recovery efforts in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River. Genoa also raises 40 million eggs and fry of fish such as northern pike and walleye, 200,000 brook and rainbow trout, cool and warm water species of fish (bass, bluegill, lake sturgeon) for national wildlife refuges and other federal programs. Funding for Higgins Eye mussel recovery is provided in part by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which plays an active role in the Mussel Coordination Team, and the overall recovery effort.
The Genoa National Fish Hatchery is located about 20 miles south of LaCrosse, Wisc. Please call the hatchery for detailed directions at 608-689-2605.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
