FISH RELEASES
Introduction
Fish are released from Chapman Hatchery at different times of the year. Depending on species, length of time in captivity, and temperature of water fish can be released in February and March (pinks and chum), April and May (coho and chinook), or October and November (freshwater cutthroat). The public is always encouraged to view and even take part in the releases.
After the winter releases, things settle down until April. In April and May 50,000 coho salmon smolts are released in Chapman Creek. They are deposited in the creek right beside hatchery. We also truck 20,000 coho up to a little creek about 500 meters from Halfmoon Bay. They go out to sea almost immediately and return to the bay in fifteen months.
Fish are released from Chapman Hatchery at different times of the year. Depending on species, length of time in captivity, and temperature of water fish can be released in February and March (pinks and chum), April and May (coho and chinook), or October and November (freshwater cutthroat). The public is always encouraged to view and even take part in the releases.
After the winter releases, things settle down until April. In April and May 50,000 coho salmon smolts are released in Chapman Creek. They are deposited in the creek right beside hatchery. We also truck 20,000 coho up to a little creek about 500 meters from Halfmoon Bay. They go out to sea almost immediately and return to the bay in fifteen months.
In November when our water temperature matches the temperature in some local lakes, we release the freshwater cutthroat. These fish are approximately 150 grams each when released. Up to 6000 healthy trout are freed in five lakes on the peninsula.
We are pleased to say that we released over 500,000 fish in 2005. They were pink, chum, coho, and chinook salmon, as well as the cutthroat trout. In addition to that, we also raised 180,000 chum salmon for the Sechelt Indian Band.
AND don't miss Release The Salmon Day See a page about it!
We are pleased to say that we released over 500,000 fish in 2005. They were pink, chum, coho, and chinook salmon, as well as the cutthroat trout. In addition to that, we also raised 180,000 chum salmon for the Sechelt Indian Band.
AND don't miss Release The Salmon Day See a page about it!
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Cutthroat Trout Releases
One of their last tasks before leaving for Mozambique, Canada World Youth participants Heather Swan and Haider Ismail release cutthroat trout into Trout and Waugh Lakes. Heather and Haider have volunteered at the hatchery three days a week for the last three months. Their help has been invaluable to the society.
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April 24th, 2006
Halfmoon Bay residents were on hand to see members of the Society building a net pen enclosure. On April 24th they were there to watch 20,000 coho salmon being deposited into the net pen and towed to the middle of the bay. The salmon will remain there for two weeks before being released. Having imprinted on Halfmoon Bay water, they will return there a year and a half from now.
Happy fishing in Halfmoon Bay!
April 20th and 21st, 2006
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SPRING 2008 - This spring the Society has begun two new projects. With the help of SIB personell we 250,000 pink salmon were introduced to a net pet at the Sechelt Indian Band's hatchery at McLean Bay. We also placed 100,000 pinks into a net pen in Gibsons harbour where they will be fed by volunteers.
The salmon will stay in the net pens for two to three weeks to imprint on that water, and then be released. They will return in two years for the fall 2009 fishery.
The salmon will stay in the net pens for two to three weeks to imprint on that water, and then be released. They will return in two years for the fall 2009 fishery.
On Friday, April 11 The Sechelt Indian Band released 250,000 pink salmon into McLean Bay. They had nursed them from egg to fry stage before transferring them to net pens in McClean Bay.
McLean Bay pinks just prior to release.
Darlene Bulpit releasing a net full of pink salmon.
Pink salmon in net pen just prior to release.
A couple of our smaller volunteers.
The larger volunteers
On Wednesday, April 9 a group of volunteers (big and small) came to Gibsons to release the 100,000 pink salmon that the society placed in a net pen there.