Erwin Hatchery closing could have a huge economic impact

By: Lizz Marrs | TriCities.com
Published: February 20, 2011
Updated: February 20, 2011 - 3:08 AM

Trout fishing in East Tennessee could become nearly non-existent as part of the new federal budget plan.

The National Fish Hatchery in Erwin is one of the nine hatcheries on the chopping block for next year, and if this fish hatchery shuts its doors, it will mean more than just less trout in local streams.

Six of the hatcheries that are set to close are located in the Southeast US.

Hatchery manager John Robinette says the economic impact from those facilities is almost 300 million dollars, and the retail sales they generate at outfitters like Mahoney’s is more than 157 million dollars.

Mike Adams relies on having an abundance of trout to make a living.

“I've been a professional fly fishing guide for the past 13 years here in East Tennessee,” says Adams.

But Adams says if the Erwin hatchery closes his livelihood is in jeopardy.

“If you take your income and get a 50 percent pay decrease that's probably what I could look at,” fears Adams.

Erwin NFH knows if they can't stock the rivers the economic impact will be great.

“When we stock fish in the Nolichucky River, people come from out of state,” explains Robinette. “Here in the Southeast region we generate almost 2 1/2 dollars in federal taxes for every dollar that's spent and we generate support for more than 3 thousand jobs in the private sector.”

That money is brought in by keeping the waters full of fish who don't reproduce on their own.

“If there's going to be fisheries in those tail water areas, it has to be stocked,” says Robinette.

An uncertain future for trout concerns outfitters like Mahoney’s.

“It’s important to our business,” says Manager David Ramsey. “A lot of those people that fish for those brood trout come right here and buy their fly fishing supplies from us.”

Ramsey says the hatchery plays a vital role not only in supporting local outfitters but in Unicoi's sustainable tourism initiative.

“That national hatchery and Unicoi County Heritage Museum on sight are critical components of our vision for the future for tourism in Unicoi County.”

Even though the US Fish and Wildlife Service plans to cut those hatcheries out of their budget at a savings of 6.3 million dollars, their entire budget didn't face an overall reduction.

Their department is receiving a net increase of almost 48 million dollars.