Maricao Fish Hatchery

Maricao is a small town in Puerto Rico that is located in rough mountain terrain, near to the cities of Adjuntas and San German. It is a town that is visited by tourists because of its magnificent wildlife and the nearby Maricao Forest Reserve. The Maricao Fish Hatchery, or Maricao Fish Nursery uses a part of the Maricao Forest. This section is known as Monte del Estado.

The forest and the area surrounding the Maricao Fish Hatchery, is a little drier than expected, but is still able to attract a vast amount of bird species and wildlife. The rivers that run through the Maricao Forest Reserve to other parts of Puerto Rico, and most rivers in Puerto Rico, are often used for fishing. This affects the number of fish and their breeding, as the demand for fishing as an attraction increases. To combat over-fishing and avoid amount of fish to decrease dramatically, projects such as the Maricao Fish Nursery are essential.

The Maricao Fish Hatchery is a conservation effort to repopulate the rivers of Puerto Rico. At any given time, the nursery has approximately 25,000 fish in their breeding tanks, fishponds and lakes. They have ensured that the facility is not only operational and effective, but have constructed the lakes and ponds amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and trees, making it a place of peace and tranquility for the public and tourists to enjoy. The nursery is responsible for the release of more than 200 thousand fish into the reservoirs and rivers across Puerto Rico every year, including popular fish species such as talipia and black bass.

Visitors to this fascinating and vital establishment should also take the time to visit the Maricao Forest with its magnificent variety of plant and tree species. The forest is extremely popular with bird watchers and for hiking. For a day trip, the Maricao Fish Hatchery and the Maricao Forest Reserve, are the perfect locations to enjoy nature and receive some spiritual peace. Conservation establishments such as these restore the balance in the ecosystem and ensure the survival of plant, fish, bird and animal species.