Volunteers, Rhyann and Peter assist with the release.
On July 19, 2025, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society carried out a special release of surplus Coho salmon into the upper reaches of Hoy and Scott Creeks. With the help of volunteers Peter and Rhyann, alongside our hatchery manager Tyler Storgaard, approximately 7,000 young Coho were released into the streams that flow through our watershed.
Why We Release Surplus Coho
Each year, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society works under an annual aquaculture license with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which permits us to incubate up to 18,500 Coho eggs. Of these, only 5,000 one-year-old Coho smolts are released under license in the spring. The remaining juveniles, often called “surplus,” are released earlier into local creeks to continue their natural life cycle.
These summer releases help distribute fish throughout the watershed, giving them access to more habitat while maintaining balance in the hatchery.
Community Connections
Along the way, our volunteers were joined by curious members of the public who stopped to watch the release. For children living along Tanglewood Lane, seeing salmon swim into their local creek was a highlight of the day — a living reminder of the connection between our community and the salmon that return each year.
Thank You Volunteers
A big thank-you to Peter and Rhyann for their efforts, and to our new volunteers who stepped up to help with this important task. Your support ensures our hatchery program continues to thrive and that Hoy and Scott Creeks remain a place where salmon can grow, return, and inspire future generations.
Together, we’re keeping salmon in our creeks.
