The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery recently released 3,200 Louisiana Pearlshell Mussels, marking only the third stocking of the species since 2016.

The release followed revised strategies developed in collaboration with Louisiana Ecological Services and the U.S. Forest Service.

Approximately 90% of the 2026 cohort was released at an average size of 5 millimeters.

The remaining 10% will stay at the hatchery while biologists continue refining grow-out procedures and evaluating the use of PIT tagging at larger sizes.

The effort is part of ongoing conservation work focused on the Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel.

Photo by Emmet Guy, USFWS Biologist: Juvenile Louisiana Pearlshell Mussels in a container while adjusting to creek water chemistry.

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