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Bill Halstead

Bill Halstead, Scientist Department Fisheries Stock Enhancement Research Location Stock Enhancement Research Facility, Port Manatee

Degrees / Certifications

A.A. in Biological Science, St. Petersburg College
B.S. in Biology, Eckerd College

Education / Experience

I went to college later in life than most people. Although I took a college preparatory curriculum in high school, to fulfill my military obligation, I joined the U. S. Air Force after graduation. What started out to be a four-year hitch turned into a twenty-year career as an air traffic control supervisor. After retiring from the Air Force, with help from Uncle Sam, I completed two degrees.

While attending Eckerd College, I was invited to do a senior thesis. The research subject I chose required off-campus support. My mentor at Eckerd took me to what was then the Marine Research Laboratory of the Department of Natural Resources (now FWC Florida Marine Research Institute). With the help of many people, particularly two FMRI scientists, I successfully completed and defended the thesis and graduated. At the time I graduated I was offered a temporary position in the Mariculture Section at FMRI. In 1985, the Florida Legislature appropriated funding for the development of a saltwater fish hatchery and I was hired into a newly created position. I was involved in all aspects of designing, permitting, and building the Stock Enhancement Research Facility (SERF). Most of what I know about marine aquaculture I learned on the job.

I now have the honor of being the Research Administrator in charge of the Fisheries Stock Enhancement Program based at SERF; I am also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the 54-acre facility. The combination of twenty years of supervisory and management training, experience in the military, and my college degrees helped prepare me for this job.

Recent Projects / Interview Body

What are you working on now?
The Fisheries Stock Enhancement Program is currently involved in Project Tampa Bay. The goal of this multi-year project is to increase the number of red drum (redfish) caught by anglers in Tampa Bay. To meet this goal, we experimentally determine the best sizes and locations for stocking in the most cost-effective manner. If this can be done without causing harm to other fish populations (e.g. displacing wild fish), then stock enhancement may be used as an additional fisheries management tool.

The ultimate objective is to release the smallest hatchery-reared fish possible and still have the desired effect. To determine this, three discreet sizes of juvenile fish are being released. SERF is responsible for developing the culture technology and raising the fish, tagging many of them, and releasing them at the appropriate time and location. This is a huge undertaking because multiple, genetically distinct crops of identical-sized fish must be reared simultaneously to coincide with the size of the wild fish at the planned release time. Since March 2000, we raised and released approximately 3.5 million fish for this project. More than 1.2 million of those were released during 2003.

Following release, the hatchery fish must be monitored as they grow and move around Tampa Bay. This, too, is no easy task and requires the efforts of four other FMRI science programs. The Aquatic Health Group helps ensure the hatchery fish are healthy and do not transmit diseases to wild fish. The Fishery Genetics Group analyzes the DNA of wild and cultured redfish to develop breeding protocols for the hatchery fish and to provide a genetic “fingerprint” for identifying hatchery fish. The Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Group attempts to capture a portion of the hatchery fish using a variety of nets and other gear. The Fishery-Dependent Monitoring Group interviews anglers to determine the number of hatchery-reared fish being caught. In addition, through a partnership between FMRI and Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Fisheries Enhancement in Sarasota, anglers and fishing guides are encouraged to report redfish captures, and hatchery redfish in the Bay are tracked and located using hydro-acoustic tags. Releases of fish are scheduled to continue through 2004. At that time, while the monitoring continues, we will stop releasing fish for approximately one year. Analysis of the hatchery fish captured since the project began will help determine which of the three sizes will have the best effect for the dollars spent. Once that determination is made, sometime in late 2005 or early 2006, we will begin releasing one size of fish. Those releases will be designed to increase the redfish population in the Bay. The result of this research may convince the commission to adopt stock enhancement as a management tool and expand the program to include other areas of Florida.

Was work in your current field your original career interest; why or why not?
The sea and animal husbandry interested me from the time I was a child growing up on the shores of Chesapeake Bay. However, I was not planning a career in aquaculture or stock enhancement. In fact, the field of marine stock enhancement didn’t exist when I was in high school. This rapidly developing field has only become a career opportunity in the past three decades. While completing my thesis, I became interested in fish propagation and culture. I was offered the opportunity to be part of a new science program believed to have the potential to provide an additional means to manage and conserve Florida’s economically important saltwater species.

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
Marine stock enhancement is a relatively new field that we believe can become a part of fisheries management in the future. I was fortunate to get in on the ground floor of this rapidly developing science. My biggest accomplishment has been to help conduct the most comprehensive and responsible research program of its kind anywhere in the world.

What do you like most about your career?
I find it very rewarding to do something designed to conserve Florida’s natural resources while providing better recreational fishing opportunities for our citizens. Additionally, the technology that we are developing at the hatchery can be used to farm saltwater fish for human consumption. This will most certainly become increasingly important as the population grows and the need for high quality protein increases.

What do you like least about your career?
As an administrator, I spend most of my time at a computer or desk. Although I enjoy many aspects of my job, I would prefer to spend more time conducting research and working with the fish.

What are some of your biggest challenges?
Probably the biggest challenge is answering the argument of those who do not believe in stock enhancement. Some think it will do more harm than good, and others feel the money spent could be better used doing other things such as improving habitat. Although habitat improvement is important, there are clear examples where the habitat has been improved but certain aquatic populations have not recovered. As Florida’s population grows and fishing pressure increases, additional innovative methods are needed to manage our valuable recreational fish.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
The modern science of marine stock enhancement is evolving rapidly. Course work in marine aquaculture, genetics, fisheries assessment and population dynamics, and aquatic health are all important. Although there are currently few job opportunities in this field, I believe that will change as more states and agencies see the need for new ways to manage wild fish and invertebrate populations.