While the Tennessee Aquarium is recognized as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world, its impact transcends the obvious. In addition to its role as a catalyst for riverfront revitalization and a tourist attraction, the Aquarium plays a key part in preserving species of fish and educating the general public on the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between man and the environment.
Furthering its stated mission to ”inspire wonder and appreciation for the natural world,” Dr. Anna George and the Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute are actively engaged in conservation efforts related to a variety of species of fish which are indigenous to the Southeastern United States. These efforts are producing tangible results and continually becoming more significant.
“We are one of the few aquariums in the country doing any research and conservation, and we are the largest freshwater aquarium in the world,” explained Dr. George. “One of the benefits to what we are doing is local and regional pride. Alabama has more species of freshwater fish than any other state, and Tennessee is second. So, between us we have an awful lot of fish. I’m proud of that, and part of our job is to take care of these species so that our children can enjoy them.”
It may seem that the benefits of reintroducing such species as the Lake Sturgeon to area rivers and streams, or assuring that numbers of Barrens Topminnow or Olive Darter hold their own in a changing environment are insignificant. On the contrary, Dr. George asserts that such efforts are critical to future generations. The loss of a species to extinction diminishes the human experience. Preserving species for generations to come saves the experience of interacting with life of all forms for generations to come.
Dr. George is dedicated to making a difference. The Saving The Sturgeon program, a 25-year campaign to bring the numbers of Lake Sturgeon in Southeastern waters back to reasonable levels, was recognized in 2007 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for significant achievement in North American conservation. Due to overfishing, pollution, the construction of dams, and other activities, the Lake Sturgeon was completely harvested out of area waters by the 1960s. With a documented lifespan of well over a century and capable of reaching up to eight feet in length and 300 pounds, the Lake Sturgeon was once common in waterways such as the Tennessee River.
“We are taking eggs from Wisconsin, where there is a healthy population, to the Aquarium hatchery in Cohutta, Georgia, where we lease space from the University of Georgia,” said Dr. George, who came to Chattanooga in 2005 as director of the Research Institute. “Since the program began nine years ago, over 55,000 sturgeon have been put back in the river.”
Although the Lake Sturgeon remains endangered, it is a favorite among sport fishermen who haul them in under catch and release restrictions. The fish take years to mature, and some of those caught are now considered to be in their “teen” years. According to Dr. George, anglers are given a telephone number for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to report sturgeon catches, and between 2006 and 2007 the calls increased 450 percent.
Last September, the AZA awarded a Conservation Endowment Fund Grant of nearly $21,000 to Dr. George, a graduate of the University of Virginia who went on to receive her doctorate from Saint Louis University. The grant is earmarked for the study of genetic diversity through the examination of DNA among 10 fish species in 10 stream systems in the region of the upper Tennessee River crossing the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. The study is expected to protect species such as the Tennessee Dace, Warpaint Shiner, Tangerine Darter, and Stargazing Minnow from becoming endangered.
“DNA sequencing information is important because it tells us how much genetic diversity there is in each species, which is a key indicator of health,“ George said. “More diversity in the genes typically means there are more individuals in a population, and that population is also more resistant to environmental stress.”
Another initiative for the Research Institute is the conservation of the Barrens Topminnow population, which was once on the verge of extinction. Dr. George asserts that the species has been impacted by human activity, including the introduction of invasive fish which could “outcompete” the Barrens Topminnow in the quest for food. Development and construction projects and even such activities as the herding of cattle across small streams encroach on the environment of the species, which is already threatened by continuing drought conditions. Institute personnel rescue Barrens Topminnow populations from streams with dangerously low water levels and then eventually release them in more favorable conditions.
A potential future endeavor is a conservation program for the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, which is the only trout species native to the Southeast. Grant proposals have been written and submitted to funding sources, and a favorable response should get this initiative going. In addition, a recent partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is helping to reintroduce threatened turtle species to their natural habitat.
The Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute continues to raise its profile through involvement with other research organizations, sharing ideas and fostering partnerships. In 2007, Dr. George and company hosted the Southeastern Fishes Council, a gathering of scientists from government agencies and universities around the region, and the group is planning to return to Chattanooga this year.
A major component of the Research Institute conservation effort is its educational outreach. Despite the progress which is evident, at least 20 percent of the known fish species in the state of Tennessee remain endangered. Clearly, there is much work yet to be done. As young people gain a better understanding of their environment and the benefits of good stewardship, they, in turn, become responsible partners as adults.
One of the few aquariums in the country doing research and conservation, Dr. Anna George and The Tennessee Aquarium are truly inspiring wonder and appreciation for the natural world, and in the process leading the preservation of fish species for generations to come. For more information on the Tennessee Aquarium and its educational and conservation programs, visit www.tnaqua.org.