Spring/Summer 2001

Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery

"This, Mr. Chairman, is a proposition to establish there (Tupelo) a fish hatchery. We have the ideal place for a fish hatchery. Why, sir, fish will travel over land for miles to get into the water we have at Tupelo. Thousands and millions of unborn fish are clamoring to this Congress today for an opportunity to be hatched at the Tupelo hatchery." Congressman "Private" John Allen Speech before the U.S. House of Representatives February 20, 1901

For a variety of reasons, many species of fish have shown a decline in population. Sport and commercial anglers are experiencing a decline in catches of species such as striped bass and sturgeon along the Gulf Coast. Because their ranges transcend local, state and in some cases, national boundaries, concern for their well-being is a major concern of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National fish hatcheries such as the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery are helping to achieve these objectives by restoring native fish populations for all to enjoy.

In 1901, the Tupelo National Fish Hatchery was formed to provide fish to inland waters of Mississippi and contiguous states. It is one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the United States and is credited to the efforts of Congressman "Private" John Allen of Mississippi's first congressional district. In 1982, the name of the hatchery was changed to the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in honor of this historic Mississippi congressman.

The Famous Fish Hatchery Speech.
If those who have followed Private John Allen were asked the question, "Which was the most famous of Private John Allen's congressional speeches?" they would state, "His Fish Hatchery Speech." On February 20, 1901, before the U.S. House of Representatives, the Congressman delivered a eloquent speech in mock-seriousness proposing Tupelo, Mississippi, as a site for a National Fish Hatchery. It is regarded as "the most spontaneous burst of wit and humor ever heard on the floors of Congress."

The U.S. House of Representatives was in a continuous roar of laughter during it. The Congressional Record inserted "Laughter", "Great Laughter", "Renewed Laughter", a total of twenty-six times during his speech. Private John Allen's speech ended with the insertion of "Loud Laughter and Applause" in the record. This speech resulted in the establishment of a fish hatchery at Tupelo. Below are several excerpts from the speech.

"I do not deem it necessary to take up 20 minutes time of this committee to pass this amendment, but as this fish hatchery is to be established at Tupelo, and I find among some people in the country - even some newspapermen, some gentlemen who have been elected to Congress and who tell me they have not only been to school but, gone through college - so much ignorance about Tupelo that I think I ought - in justice to them, not to Tupelo - to enlighten them on this subject.

To come down to a later period, those of you who know anything of the history of your country will remember the contentions between the French, English and Spanish Governments for the ownership of the Mississippi Territory. I am informed by those familiar with the real designs of those great nations at the time that the real motive of all of them was the ownership of Tupelo. Finally, the United States, appreciating the importance of the position, took advantage of their dissensions and acquired Tupelo. Everything went on very well until about 1861, when the South concluded to secede from the Union. I am reliably informed that when Horace Greeley and others sought Mr. Lincoln and asked him to 'let the wayward sisters depart in peace,' he shook his head and said, 'No, this secession takes from the United States Tupelo and we will not submit to it.' And it was to rescue this town for the Union that brought on the war.

Many of you gentleman have never been to Tupelo. I hope none of you entertain any idea of dying without going there. I should hate to have it said of any Member of this Congress - for all of whom I have such kindly feeling - that they did not aspire to visit Tupelo before they died. I extend to you all an invitation to come and promise you a royal welcome. Come and go with me on College Hill one evening and see one of our Tupelo sunsets.

Come and see one of our southern, silvery, Tupelo moons! I think it is the only place in the South where we have the same beautiful moons we had before the war. I have often been asked about the size of Tupelo. I confess I have not been able to get the exact figures from the last census. The tabulating machines do not seem to have been able to work it out yet; but I can say, Mr. Chairman, that by sufficiently extending the corporate limits of our town we can accommodate a population larger than the City of London. The truth is that our lands about Tupelo have been so valuable for agriculture purposes that we have not yielded them up for building a city as rapidly as we should have done.

I can say, Mr. Chairman, that while there are larger places than Tupelo, I do not think there is any other place just exactly like it. Tupelo is very near, if not exactly, in the center of the world. The horizon seems about the same distance in every direction. The sun, when going down on regular schedule, comes right over the town, and sometimes gives us a hot time in the old town. It is a great place for the investment of capital, where it will be welcomed and protected. Come early, gentlemen and avoid the rush!

This, Mr. Chairman, is a proposition to establish there a fish hatchery. We have the ideal place for a fish hatchery. Why, sir, fish will travel over land for miles to get into the water we have at Tupelo. Thousands and millions of unborn fish are clamoring to this Congress today for an opportunity to be hatched at the Tupelo hatchery.

Now, Mr. Chairman, I only wish to say in conclusion that if there is a member here who wishes to have his name connected by future generations with that of Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold, if he wishes to have himself and his posterity pointed at with scorn, if he desires to be despised by men and shunned by women, let him vote against this amendment and he will secure all this infamous notoriety."

The Hatchery.
Shortly after Congressman Allen gave his plea to Congress, they voted in favor of it, the President signed the bill into law and, in 1904, the hatchery began operations. Almost 100 years later, it is still a productive fish hatchery.

Five earthen ponds receive natural spring water from three wells located on hatchery grounds. Initially, the ponds were used to raise largemouth bass, channel catfish and several sunfish (i.e., bluegill, redear, etc.). Fish were transported to other states utilizing railroads bordering the railroad.

In the mid-1950s, additional ponds were added for a total of 15 ponds. In 1990, the historic hatchery manager's house was added to the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Also in the early 1980s the mission of the hatchery changed to place an emphasis on the restoration and recovery of rare and declining species. In 1995, a fish holding, hatching and rearing house was added to accommodate spawning and rearing activities for paddlefish and sturgeon. Since that time, this unit has been modified to accommodate large species of fish such as alligator gar, which are declining in numbers.

Because of the hatchery's excellent water supply, that maintains a 63 degree temperature year round, the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery raises eight species of fish. This includes paddlefish, alligator gar, striped bass, walleye, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and channel catfish. Its annual budget for fiscal year 2000 was $222,900.

Furthermore, the hatchery is working to recover rare and declining species including the restoration of Gulf Coast Striped Bass populations, mitigation of lost habitat for walleye in the White River drainage in Arkansas and fishery management and stocking recreational fish on National Wildlife Refuges and tribal lands.

Although once a primary role of the National Fish Hatchery System, the farm pond program is no longer a responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1989, the farm pond program ended and hatchery production was shifted more to threatened and endangered species and the restoration and mitigation of public waters. A list is available at the hatchery of local and statewide fish producers that can provide fish for private ponds.

Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish are raised to enhance recreational fishing on National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests and tribal lands as needed. In the year 2000, approximately 550,000 bluegill, 150,000 channel catfish and 30,000 largemouth bass were produced and stocked on federal or tribal lands.

The hatchery serves as one of the primary spawning areas in the Southeast for paddlefish, which are sometimes called "spoonbill catfish." With the decline of sturgeon eggs, paddlefish are being exploited as a source of eggs for use as caviar. Broodstock are collected from Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Eggs and fry are shipped to other hatcheries for rearing to a stockable size. It takes only 90 days for these fish to reach lengths of 12 to 16 inches. The hatchery is playing a significant role in developing culture techniques and researching the life history of paddlefish. The hatchery annually produces approximately 40,000 paddlefish fingerlings.

Another significant program with a major national emphasis is the restoration of Gulf Coast Striped Bass. The hatchery currently produces approximately 500,000 striped bass that are stocked at different sites on the Gulf Coast throughout the Southeast and the Apalachicola River in Florida.

The hatchery produces walleye for the State of Arkansas. The 100,000 fingerlings raised annually are used for mitigation stocking of the White River Basin, which benefits both Arkansas and Missouri.

The Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery has worked to spawn alligator gar, one of the largest freshwater fish in North America. In the mid-1900s, alligator gar in excess of 300 pounds and exceeding 10 feet in length were common in the Delta and along the Gulf Coast; currently, mature fish in excess of 150 pounds are almost unheard of. Due in a large part to habitat loss and a predator fish eradication program during the early 1900s, these large fish are seldom seen in areas other than the brackish waters of the Gulf Coast, especially around the area where the Pascagoula River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. In 1998, broodfish from the Mississippi River were obtained and spawned for the first time in 1999. Approximately 1,000 fish were spawned and stocked in the Wolf River in Southwest Tennessee.

Currently, the hatchery consists of 28 acres, 13 earthen ponds and two lined ponds, a hatching/rearing building, administrative offices and maintenance buildings. It operates an elaborate mobile aquarium operated by station personnel that is constantly in demand by area schools and conservation agencies throughout the summer months. It has been viewed by as many as 5,000 school children in one weekend and as high as 35,000 in one summer. It has served as an outdoor classroom many times while being presented by hatchery personnel.

Special activities are held during National Fishing Week, Earth Day and during several local festivals throughout the year. The hatchery hosts a wildlife viewing area. The hatchery is home to the Tupelo Garden Club which uses the historic manager's residence and the hatchery grounds to hold much of the city's social functions. The hatchery is listed as one of the major birdwatching areas by the Audubon Society.

One can visit the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery daily from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Last year, the hatchery hosted over 50,000 visitors. Group tours are welcome.

For more information on the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery, one can contact them at 111 Elizabeth Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801 or call them at (662) 842-1341.

Proposed Aquatic Education Center.
The Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery is proposing an Aquatic Education Center. In addition to administration offices, the proposal contains fisheries and aquatic resource related exhibits, including aquaria, interactive computers and other aquatic resource related exhibits. If constructed, it will also contain an auditorium and projection room for showing films, audio-visual programs and conducting meetings and other resource related programs and activities. The proposal also includes an environmental education classroom.

The National Fish Hatchery System: A System In Peril.For more than a century, the National Fish Hatchery System has played a valuable role in providing fish to benefit our Nation. This system includes 66 national fish hatcheries, 7 fish technology centers and 9 fish health centers. It is uniquely positioned to influence and benefit state, tribal and federal fishery programs through leadership in development and application of the best possible fish culture and fisheries management techniques, to include, the maintenance of healthy, wild fish populations through habitat conservation and improved harvest management, maintenance of genetic diversity and the proper use of hatchery stocks in achieving fishery management objectives.

Unfortunately, this system has developed serious problems over its 128 year history. Presently, it faces both its worst crisis and its best chance for improvement. Since 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's overall budget rose 35 percent, but funding for hatchery operations and maintenance has declined by 15 percent. The facilities, including the one in Mississippi, are old and outmoded. A tremendous maintenance backlog exists and 25 percent of hatchery personnel positions are vacant. This is in part due to an erosion of congressional and public support as well as an erosion in support within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to Cathy Short, the assistant director of the Fisheries and Habitat Conservation Program at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "We're getting to a crisis situation. We're starting to see actual, significant fish losses [due to lack of proper funding for hatchery facility upgrades]."

Combined with detailed hatchery work plans, clarified tribal agreements, re-defined fish-production responsibilities, updated training for hatchery personnel and proper habitat restoration and management, the system can not only help restore community lakes and streams, reverse declines in rare and declining species of fish, but help recover threatened and endangered species of fish with the help of appropriations from the threatened and endangered species program.

Fish hatcheries are an important tool for fisheries managers. We need to properly maintain this tool for maintaining a good quality of life for millions of Americans.

Congress may not desire to fund a full restoration of the National Fish Hatchery System, but anything less than a strong commitment will further hurt local economies, allow more species to become threatened and endangered and destroy local fisheries populations that provide enjoyment for millions of Americans. Our National Fish Hatcheries and this Nation's taxpayers can't afford it.