February 28, 2025 – Scott Ray
• Presentation topic: My work with freshwater mussels
• Speaker: Scott Ray
•
Scott Ray is a Species Recovery Biologist II with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Scott is currently the on-site supervisor and non-game propagation lead at the Union City Aquatic Conservation Center (ACC). Scott’s primary responsibilities are producing various nongame animals to assist in the recovery of species, streams, and watersheds. These animals currently include freshwater mussels, non-game fishes and one turtle species. He is also working to determine viable broodstock locations to help restore state and federally listed nongame species, as well as keeping species of greatest conservation need populations common to prevent future listing. Scott has a B.S. in Environmental Biology, with a concentration in Freshwater Ecology from Clarion University of PA.
Scott’s career with the PFBC began in 2012 as a seasonal fish culturist at the Union City State Fish Hatchery (UCSFH). The production at the UCSFH as a warm/coolwater hatchery included spawning and rearing Northern Pike, Tiger Muskie, pure bred Muskie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Fathead Minnows, Black and White Crappie. These fish were then stocked throughout the commonwealth into streams, lakes, and reservoirs to augment their populations for anglers to enjoy. In 2015, he transferred to the Fairview State Fish Hatchery where he began working with Steelhead. While there he was promoted to foreman of the hatchery in charge of running that facility, which included broodstock collection, spawning and rearing of steelhead smolts. In 2018 he was asked to return to UCSFH to oversee the brand-new freshwater mussel program. During 2019 the hatchery went through a complete redesign, with various recirculating systems, as well as several new mussel propagation systems that were custom built on station by employees. The facility at that point was splitting its focus between raising game fish for stocking and learning the ropes in freshwater mussel propagation. During the pandemic of 2020, the facility began working to produce freshwater mussels as well as continue to produce game fish for stocking. The facility split production until late 2022, when the facility was moved to the bureau of fisheries to solely focus on non-game production. This focus has allowed the newly named Aquatic Conservation Center to expand from freshwater mussels into non-game fishes, which include the Chesapeake Logperch as well as Blanding’s turtles, with other new species in the works. Since beginning this freshwater mussel program, the facility has produced over 21,000 mussels for stocking. This is an incredible feat within the first 5 years or production, as it takes approximately 2 years to reach stockable size of about 25mm (1 inch), with a very steep 3–5 year learning curve per species. In addition to freshwater mussels, Scott will also talk to us about his current rearing of a state listed turtle species, as well as some new work with a state listed nongame fish, the Chesapeake Logperch. Scott will explain some the complex life history of freshwater mussels and some details of what it takes to setup and run a facility and raise nongame animals for restoration of watersheds as well as working to ensure some species will be alive for future generations.
Meeting Location:
Crafton Volunteer Fire Department
8 Stotz Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Doors open at 6:30 PM; meeting starts at 7:30 PM
Turn in your BAP/AHAP
Breeders Award Program (BAP) and Aquatic Horticulture Awards Program (AHAP) will be accepted.
RAFFLE
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50/50 to help cover cost of event venue
50% of the winnings go to a participant, 50% goes to club to help pay rent for facilities.
Mini-Auction
There will be a mini-auction. Sellers will receive 70% of sales. 30% goes to club to help pay for expenses and supplies.
Comradery
There will be plenty of time to mingle with members and guests throughout the evening.