Preliminary work underway at Hoy Creek Hatchery added incubation of chum salmon
We are pleased to announce, that due to the generous support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Hoy-Scott Watershed Society will soon be raising chum salmon.
Preliminary work has begun on an area in our Capilano trough for a new incubation stack, and new piping has been put in place for water to be pumped in from Hoy Creek.
Here's the Foundation's press statement: The Pacific Salmon Foundation today announced over $8,000 for two Pacific salmon projects in Coquitlam. The total value of the projects including volunteer time and community fundraising is over $22,000. The Foundation’s Community Salmon Program supports habitat stewardship, Pacific salmon enhancement and watershed education, and is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s Salmon Conservation Stamp.
Both projects are being led by the Hoy Creek Watershed Society at their hatchery:
- Added Incubation Capacity: Essential equipment will be purchased to support the incubation of chum salmon
- Repairs to Live Box and Fish Fence: Funds will go towards repairing key equipment required to capture chum and coho salmon as part of the hatchery production program
“We are pleased to continue to support the Hoy Creek Watershed Society, as their efforts will help the future of chum and coho salmon, “said Dr. Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The Foundation’s Community Salmon Program supports community groups, volunteers and First Nations across the province. All give countless hours each year to monitor watersheds, develop and implement habitat rehabilitation projects, and educate communities about the conservation and protection of salmon. The program requires grantees to find matching funds for projects. On average, grantees raise an additional six dollars for every dollar they receive through additional fundraising for donations of in-kind and money at the community level.
The majority of funds for the Community Salmon Program were generated through sales of the federal Salmon Conservation Stamp. The Salmon Conservation Stamp is a decal that must be purchased annually by anglers if they wish to keep Pacific salmon caught in saltwater off of Canada’s West Coast. Currently all proceeds from the $6 dollar stamp are returned to British Columbia through the Foundation, generating about $1 million for community grants annually.
In addition to funds generated from the sales of the federal “Salmon Stamp”, the grants are made possible by Pacific Salmon Foundation fundraising dinners, auctions and donations from individuals, foundations and businesses. Several businesses and foundations also contribute to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s community salmon program.
“The Community Salmon Program captures the essence of what we are trying to do at the Foundation,” concluded Riddell. “Government, business, First Nations and volunteers all working together – that is the best way to ensure the future of wild Pacific salmon.”