Salmonid Enhancement Program

New Salmon Statue at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Visitors of Hoy Creek Linear Park will notice a new salmon statue beside Hoy Creek, this one with its kype (nose) facing upstream.

The original salmon statue, now aged and chipped has been moved to a new spot, now visible by those entering the park from Princess Crescent east of the Hoy Creek Hatchery.

“It was an exciting time for our volunteers to take part in the cement pouring, and the later positioning of the new salmon, “ said hatchery manager and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society vice president, Tyler Storgaard. “We’ve heard stories from when the first one was poured at least 20 years ago, and founding member, the late Chris Hamming was involved. His wife, Henrietta said that her husband Chris couldn’t believe that they forgot to place it pointing upstream, so it was great to finally correct this with the new statue.”

After the mold had set for a few weeks, the salmon was revealed and set into place on September 23. The Society wishes to thank the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Salmonid Enhancement Program, our community advisor, Isaac Nelson, and technician, Eric Kukulowicz, for their support in casting this new statue.

Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard puts water into the cement mixer on Sept. 16 when the statue was cast.

The old salmon statue being moved at Hoy Creek.

New salmon statued put in place on Sept. 23, 2023

Society Takes Part in Salmon Enhancement Community Workshop

Left to right from HSWS: Anne Woosnam, Robbin Whachell, Kim Mayes and Matthew Watts.

Several members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society attended the Salmonid Enhancement Program Community Workshop held from May 19 – 22 in Port Hardy, BC.

The weekend was full of education, entertainment, and camaraderie, all shared with a community of heartfelt volunteers who are stewards for salmon in BC. The Tri-Cities and Burnaby were very well-represented.

The event opened with a traditional welcome by Kwakiutl First Nation. There was a myriad of educational sessions and field trips or tours throughout the weekend. One was a day trip to Alert Bay and the U'Mista Centre to learn about the area's First Nation history and the significance of the Potlatch. There was also a forestry tour, Joey's Museum tour, coast guard tour, beach seine tour, local hatchery tour, and a bird-watching tour.

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society would like to thank the Port Hardy hosts for their planning and delivery of an excellent workshop.

The Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) “aims to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks, provide harvest opportunities, work with Indigenous and coastal communities in economic development, and improve fish habitat to sustain salmon populations.”

Rodney Lee, a long time volunteer member of HSWS was representing the Kwikwetlem First Nation where he works.