Pittsford National Fish Hatchery staff recently conducted a complete cleaning of all 38 raceways containing two year classes and six lots of sea-run and landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Regular cleaning had been set aside to attend to intensive fin clipping and vaccination of 145,000 fish during previous weeks. The thorough cleaning halted algae growth and forestalled a buildup of organic solids that could have caused deterioration of water quality and an increased risk to the fish.

Staff members put in a total of 42 work hours with brooms, brushes and scrapers in a seldom-mentioned hatchery activity that is vital to reaching the production goal of healthy fish.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast