SCE provided $4.7 million in funding for a white sea bass hatchery in Carlsbad, Calif.,  that began operation in 1996 under the auspices of the Hubbs/ Sea World Research Institute. The purpose of the hatchery is to compensate for fish loss caused by operations of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).  Providing funds to the hatchery was one of the requirements in the California Coastal Commission's 1997 revised operating permit for SONGS.

When operating at design capacity, the hatchery is expected to produce 300,000 juvenile white sea bass per year. This white sea bass production is expected to exceed the total SONGS fish loss estimated by the Marine Review Committee, whose multi-year study of SONGS' environmental impact established the foundation for the Coastal Commission's revised permit requirements.

For more information, visit the San Diego Oceans Foundation Web site at www.hswri.org/research/researchArea.cfm?areID=5