Goal: Discuss and coordinate Marine Enhancement Center's activies in marine fish hatchery production to achieve effective fish stock restoration in Florida's coastal waters.

The Fish Propagation Working group intends to achieve our goal by following these guiding principles:

1. Do no harm to fish stocks or institutional integrity.
2. Operation in transparent and quitable manner that respects the interests of all members.
3. Integrate and coordinate member activities to achieve program objectives.
4. Equal representation of participating Marine Enhancement Centers.
5. Consideration and protection of minority interests.
6. Close liaison with FMFEI Advisory Board and other Working Groups.

In combination with our guiding principles we will adhere to the following operational principles:

• Responsible operation of Marine Enhancement Centers and fgish stock enhancement based on the principles articulated in Blackenship & Leber 1995 and FWC Genetics Policy including:
  • Integrity of genetic, ecological, and watershed fish stocks
  • Release of marked fish at seasonally appropriate times
  • Pre and post stocking assessments
  • Health evaluations prior to release