By: Rachel N. Johnson
Features Editor

Anytime you catch a large Flounder in the waters around the Wilmington area, you have the opportunity to make a difference by donating the Flounder to the Southern Flounder Hatchery.  All you have to do is keep the fish alive and call 910 477-0078 (Barry), 910 264-4250 (Chris @ UNCW), or 910 617-7637 (Tim) to arrange a pick up for the Flounder. 
The Fish For Tomorrow project is a Not-For Profit organization that proudly stands at the forefront of fisheries stock enhancement through aquaculture, creative reef placement and public education. They support a positive, practical and proactive attitude toward fisheries conservation.
“Fish For Tomorrow is currently working with scientists at major North Carolina Universities to develop programs for effective fisheries stock management and enhancement. We are dedicated to helping the scientific community, state governments and other organizations bring forward aquaculture technology that can truly make a difference in our lives.  This technology will come to fruition in North Carolina through Fish For Tomorrow in the form of an “Aqua Park”. The park will house new fish hatcheries and will serve as a multifunctional learning and training facility for all. Recreational fishermen, and other interested parties can volunteer man hours and resources while commercial fishermen will have the ultimate training facility for learning how to farm fish rather than having to rely entirely on fish caught in the wild.
The Fish For Tomorrow hatcheries will not only provide fingerlings, but will educate both recreational and commercial fishermen to new ways of looking at our coastal resources and their future conservation. In addition, our youth education programs will introduce young people to science-based fisheries conservation, and will include students from elementary school through college grade levels.
The species of fish that Fish For Tomorrow has selected to start with is Southern Flounder. This selection was based on the following:
• Southern Flounder stocks have dropped to dangerous all-time lows
• Flounder are the number one sought after fish by NC recreational anglers
• Flounder are a huge economic resource for commercial fishermen
Fish For Tomorrow is already working with scientists that have developed proven methods for collecting southern flounder eggs and producing flounder hatchlings with incredible success rates
Southern Flounder stocking programs can work hand in hand with current oyster restoration programs.  The “recycled” oyster reefs are the perfect habitat for flounder hatchlings.
Southern Flounder can be produced in a saltwater hatchery environment, and then grown out in a farm pond environment.  This offers a tremendous opportunity for existing tobacco or hog farmers looking for an alternative land-uses.
The great news is that with the help of scientists and students, Fish For Tomorrow has already proven that the Flounder hatchery is a viable solution for Southern Flounder stock enhancement. Fish For Tomorrow members helped start a pilot hatchery program last year as part of the aquaculture program at South Brunswick High School near Southport in Brunswick County, North Carolina.  Flounder hatchlings are currently growing inside the aquatanks. Fish For Tomorrow is working closely with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries....
Based on existing scientific evidence, Fish For Tomorrow estimates that producing and releasing millions of fingerlings (2-5 inches long) into the wild could have a tremendous effect on the Southern Flounder population within just five years.  The mortality rate of 4-inch long fingerlings versus hatchlings in the wild is estimated to be reduced by upwards of 95 percent. The wonderful news is that this same process can be used to shore up the stocks of other native species.  Future programs are already being discussed that will include Red Drum, Speckled Trout and others. Another primary Fish For Tomorrow goal is to provide increased habitat for the North Carolina fisheries stock.  Fish For Tomorrow will accomplish this goal in two ways: By placing artificial reef material into near and inshore protected areas that are easily accessed by the average angler. And By working closely with existing and planned Oyster Recycling program. This program creates new oyster reefs from recycled oyster shells.
The first targeted area for an artificial oyster reef was inside the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin. These waters are protected on every side, and easily accessed by even the smallest of boats.
Fish For Tomorrow will continue to move fisheries conservation into a new realm in the coming months.  This will encompass new methods of “farming” from aquaculture, conservation education, and actual stock and reef enhancement. North Carolina’s fisheries resource is one of the largest resources in our state.  Not only does it provide literally “tons” of healthy fresh seafood for human consumption but recreational fishing is clearly one of North Carolina’s largest industries.  Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on boats, tackle, motel rooms, and restaurant meals by anglers going to our coast to fish.  It is a critical component of our large coastal tourism industry.  At Fish For Tomorrow, we are doing something to make it better.  Join us!” You may make monetary donations to the organization or donate a Flounder.  Visit them online at www.fishfortomorrow.org, and remember unless we do something now, it will be too late.