Nanaimo River Hatchery

Information

Project Name: Nanaimo River Hatchery Partner Group: Nanaimo River Stewardship Society Contact Info: Brian Banks, CEDP Co-Manager Henry Bob, CEDP Co-Manager Telephone: 250-245-7780 Fax: 250-245-7786 E-mail: bbanks@nanaimoriverhatchery.ca hbob@nanaimoriverhatchery.ca

Project Description

The Nanaimo River project, located on the Nanaimo River south of Nanaimo, was initiated in 1978 to maximize benefits to the local fishers and restore Nanaimo River chum, coho, and Chinook stocks. The project has recently reintroduced pinks back to the river. These stocks are produced using Atkins boxes, bulk boxes, siphon incubators and Heath trays for incubation and capilano troughs, circular tubs, concrete raceways, earth channel, lake and sea pens for rearing and adult holding. Otolith marked hatchery stocks provide much of the critical data for determining catch distribution, survival and exploitation rates. The staff do not limit themselves to fish production, and participate in many activities including education programs, adult transfers, fry salvaging, and stock assessment.

Current Project Objectives are to:

• Conservation enhancement of Chinook, chum, coho, and pink;
• Education;
• Stock assessment;
• Local employment;
• Assisting with the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy; and
• Stewardship

Photos of the Nanaimo River Hatchery

Click on images to enlarge. Nanaimo River Hatchery aerial view

Additional Photos

Click on images to enlarge
Emblem of the Nanaimo River Stewardship Society	Fishing for Chinook broodstock in the Chemainus River	Nanaimo River coho buck
Nanaimo River coho spunking a male	Nanaimo River coho eggtake	Pink salmon sea pen with Nanaimo in the background

Skill Testing Questions/Answers

1. How many chinook stocks call the Nanaimo River home?
   There are 3 genetically distinct stocks. Spring run, Summer run and Fall run.
2. How many eggs does the Nanaimo River Hatchery incubate each year?
   3 million
3. How many education programs does the Nanaimo River Hatchery participate in?
   3, Gently Down the Stream in the fall. Donates eggs to classroom incubation program, Life in H2O in the spring.