Fin-clipping Program
This year's efforts in the Hobson Hatchery are culminating in a fin-clipping program to ID released coho fry as hatchery fish. As we (SLS) are the only ones to release coho into the Shawnigan watershed, we can be confident that any fin-clipped spawners to return to Shawnigan Creek in the years to come originated from our hatchery!
It has been a particularly satisfying year for our hatchery operation. The Environment Club got the facility up and running in the fall and this was followed up with a successful egg-take, fertilization and planting of over 19,000 coho eggs by Science 9, Environmental Science 11 and E-Club students. Of these, over 70% developed into fry and have been on a feeding program in our rearing tanks for the past 6 weeks.
My thanks to all those involved with the program this year. In particular, the E-Club was key to ensuring that the facility was kept clean and running smoothly. And a special thank you to Dennis and Maurice, our night security duo—they kept an eye on things during those critical times in the hatchery which coincided with our holidays and Ski Week. Just another example of the supportive nature of this community!
– Scott Noble, Environment Club
Photos by Scott Noble and Yearbook