Compiled by: Bob Wattendorf and Rick Stout On February 23, 2007,
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
dedicated the new Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC). Its
overall mission is "To conduct and utilize essential research to
optimize production, stocking and recruitment of Florida black
basses, and to facilitate integrated conservation management of
Florida's freshwater fisheries resources." In 2009, it was
awarded the Outstanding Sport Fish Restoration Project of the
Year, for infrastructure enhancements by the American Fisheries
Society. The concept began in 2002, when the FWC recognized its
antiquated fish hatchery at Richloam in Sumter County had to be
replaced if Florida hoped to retain its' "Fishing Capital of the
World" title, at least with regard to largemouth bass. Richloam
Hatchery, in business since April 1965, was one of the oldest
fish hatcheries in the country. Although it did much more with
much less than many of the nation's 21st century facilities, it
was a major d