September 20, 2012 (SANDWICH) _ Massachusetts environmental officials were on Cape Cod yesterday to mark the 100^th anniversary of state operation of the Sandwich Fish Hatchery.

It’s one of the oldest hatcheries in the nation -- beginning as a private venture around 1860.

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game took over the operation of the hatchery 100 years ago.

The facility produces almost 75-thousand brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout annually.

It stocks the fish into 35 rivers and streams and 50 lakes and ponds in 27 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts.

State and local officials say the hatchery is not only critical to stocking local ponds – but is a vital part of the local economy.