Scientists spawning snook in captivity

Scientists are spawning snook in captivity and releasing them back into the wild.

"We try to make it as natural of an environment as possible for them in the tanks to get them mature," said Mote Marine Laboratory biologist Matt Resley.

The snook were born in captivity at Mote's Aquaculture Park in Sarasota, a research facility meant to help increase the snook population.

"Right now stocks in the wild are being depleted," Resley said.

Since the 1950s increased fishing and cooler temperatures have led to a decline in snook numbers. But things are looking up in 2007.

Mote became the first research group in the world to mature snook in a controlled environment and get them to spawn.

Since then more than 52,000 fish have been released into the wild. Mote scientist Dr. Nathan Brennan says they've also learned snook can survive in freshwater.

"The goal is to use stock enhancement as a supplementary management tool so we want to provide more fish for our anglers because of high demand," he said.

It's not just scientists doing the research. The public is helping as well. This weekend the Snook Shindig is taking place in the waters of Sarasota Bay. This is a catch and release fishing tournament designed to gather information about the snook.

"We also get the anglers out there and do a tournament which is used to gauge our stock footprint on the wild population," Brennan said.

Mote Marine researchers say the ultimate goal is to raise the number of snook in the wild but it's also teaching them how to save other species from extinction.