April 5, 2004                                             Contact: Erin Rath/Jeff Turcotte

SENATOR GREGG CALLS FOR STRONG SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY SYSTEM
Nashua, North Attleboro hatcheries serve critical role in health of salmon in the Northeast

       WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) recently joined several of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide significant funding for National Fish Hatcheries in Nashua and North Attleboro, MA. The National Fish Hatchery system works closely with states, FWS biologists and private organizations to restore the health of native fish populations in areas where they are threatened. Senator Gregg is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, and recently contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue its support for the Merrimack River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, which was recently notified it was not a top priority for the FWS.

       In a letter to Chairman Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Ranking Member Byron Dorgan (D-ND), the Senators stated, “The Nashua National Fish Hatchery supports the restoration of Atlantic salmon in central New England by providing salmon eggs for program needs. Eggs are obtained from adult sea-run Atlantic salmon captured in the Merrimack River, and from domestic broodstock maintained at the hatchery. They are shipped to the North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery where they are incubated, hatched, and then transported to the headwaters of the rivers where they are released.

       “The North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery supports Atlantic salmon restoration programs in southern New England. The Connecticut and Merrimack rivers salmon programs transfer sea-run adults after spawning to the North Attleboro facility for reconditioning every fall. The hatchery also incubates sea-run and domestic broodstock eggs for the Merrimack River, Pawcatuck River, and New Hampshire coastal rivers restoration programs.

       “These two programs are essential to assist with the recovery of Atlantic salmon, whose populations have been in decline since the late 1960s. Unfortunately, it is our understanding that proposed budget cuts to essential New England hatcheries programs may force the North Attleboro and Nashua fish hatcheries to cut back or eliminate important programs, such as salmon in the classroom.

       “With your support in the FY2005 process, we can ensure that the important programs that depend on these Atlantic salmon hatcheries will be able to continue.”

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