Video: The Role of Beneficial Phytoplankton in Developing Healthy and Productive Fisheries and Hatcheries

Beneficial phytoplankton play a critical role in maintaining thriving freshwater fish populations across North America. By acting as the primary energy source for aquatic food webs, these microscopic organisms provide essential nutrition for fish fry during their most vulnerable early growth stages. They also provide food for minnows and zooplankton which are fed upon by small fish in order to develop. Healthy phytoplankton can outcompete toxic blooms, improve water quality, and directly influence the survival rates of diverse fish species. Phytoplankton supplementation has a variety of benefits to promote a healthy fishery or hatchery through enhancing ecosystem productivity with the these vital aquatic foundations.

Fish fry that rely on beneficial phytoplankton to develop.