Salmon Farmers help Local salmon enchancement hatcheries
Courier-Islander February 2, 2011
Two local salmon enhancement hatcheries on Vancouver Island received a much-needed boost this week from a local business.
The Oyster River Enhancement Society and the Fanny Bay Salmonid Enhancement Society have received $5,000 and $3,000 respectively from Marine Harvest Canada to help continued efforts of restoring vital river habitat and protect local salmon populations.
The Oyster River Enhancement Society (ORES) is a volunteer driven, non-profit British Columbia based Society (1983) and a Registered Canadian Charitable Organization.
ORES's major purpose is to enhance, restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat of the Oyster River watershed and relies entirely upon its volunteers, members and donors for their respective contributions.
"Funding from our local business community is critical to the continuation of our hatchery," says ORES President Jim Loring. "Combining this operational support with the dedication of our volunteers, we'll be able to continue our work conserving salmon populations in the Oyster River."
ORES will be using the funds from Marine Harvest Canada to complete much needed improvements to the hatchery road system.
At Fanny Bay, President Judy Ackinclose is looking to replace an aging egg taking shed. The hatchery, built by DFO in 1965, produces about 350,000 salmon fry to be released in local watersheds and much of the infrastructure is in need of upgrades.
Ackinclose is quick to thank aquaculture businesses for their support. "Marine Harvest has provided a lot of support for our hatchery over the years," she says. "The entire bird protection net was donated by them as well as all our egg incubation trays. This donation is timely for us because we have some critical work to do."
Fanny Bay Salmonid Enhancement Society (FBSES) operates two hatcheries at Wilfred and Rosewall Creek with 55 volunteers dedicated to enhancement and habitat restoration of local watersheds.
