CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Aquariums on wheels aren’t unusual when you visit a fishing tournament or outdoors show. However, typically the rolling tanks on wheels feature catchy names like the “Hawg Trough.” Typically these mobile displays feature all of the fish in the nearby waters and somebody on a high perch casting in a line and demonstrating fishing lure techniques.
The Department of Environmental Protection has come up with their own version, but this one has a different mission. The 1,700-gallon tank will be an educational tool and allow West Virginians to see the native fish of our waters up close and in a semi-natural environment.
“I am very excited for the people of West Virginia to be able to get a fascinating, up-close view of the fish that call our streams and rivers home,” said DEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman. “As an avid fisherman myself, I hope people will come to see and gain an appreciation for the delicate underwater world that this mobile aquarium highlights.”
The overall purpose of the mobile aquarium is to help teach the public about water habitat and the water quality necessary to maintain aquatic life. The aquarium’s use as an educational tool will be conducted in partnership with the Division of Natural Resources, whose logo and website also appear on the back of the tank.
The tank will make its debut this weekend at a bass tournament on the Kanawha River for a couple of hours. Plans are for the aquarium to be used at a number of public events around the state to display fish and offer aquatic education opportunities.
The tank weighs 25,000 pounds when full.