The Mora National Fish Hatchery began rearing Gila trout in 1999
and continues to do so to the present day. The hatchery is the
only facility that currently cultures this rare fish. Current
populations in active culture are lineages from the Main Diamond
and South Diamond watersheds. Beginning in 2012, the hatchery
began the process of developing broodstocks of the Whiskey and
Spruce Creek lineages. These surviving populations can be
severely impacted by natural events such as fire, flood, and
drought, and the Mora NFH has the capability to provide refugia
when necessary. Endangered Species Recovery In 2006 after much
work, the Gila trout was down-listed from a status of endangered
to one of threatened. Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act
allows the USFWS to issue regulations to conserve species listed
as threatened. Under the section, the USFWS and its’ partners
have allowed limited fishing in New Mexico and Arizona. These
“harvest” populations are supplemented by fish from Mora NFH
that are excess to